Asthma is triggered or is worsened by many things in your environment. It is your responsibility to learn your triggers and learn how to avoid them. There are so many things you can do that require little energy and less change to your lifestyle and that can also make a huge difference in the management of your asthma.

Here are five tips that will enable you to manage your disease effectively.

1. Smoke is a very common trigger. If you smoke – quit. If you have a wood burning stove in the house do your best to find and use another heating source. Clean the walls of the house with a mild solution of vinegar and water to get rid of the residue on the walls.

2. Include dust removal in your asthma management program. Dust is another common trigger and can carry mites and other allergens. Shop for a vacuum that has the least amount of dust pumped back into the air. Remove all dust catchers in the home if you can. This includes carpets and draperies. If you can’t remove them then vacuum very frequently. Also, invest in a good quality HEPA air purifier.

3. Dust mites are another asthma trigger and you should work to decrease the possibility of their presence in your home in your asthma management program. Avoid using decorations like stuffed animals in a child’s room or lots of pillows on an adult’s bed. Don’t use down feather comforters and pillows that also harbor dust mites. Cover your mattress in a plastic cover.

4. Pet dander is another asthma trigger and important in your asthma management program. If you can’t part with your pet then don’t allow them in your bedroom which is where you spend at least six hours each day. Brush them frequently, including cats, and if they will tolerate the vacuum cleaner run the hose portion over them once weekly.

5. In your asthma management program include the mold count and keep it down. It is a common allergen and asthma trigger. You may be thinking black mold growing under the floorboards of the house as the mold to be concerned about. Actually, mold that is more subtle and insidious can also be a problem for asthmatics. Keep the shower clean. Showering in a molded shower only releases the spores when the hot water hits it. Dry your wet laundry immediately which means the wet towels from the kids in the summer don’t sit in the laundry basket for 24 hours waiting to be washed. Hang them outside for a couple of hours to dry them before putting them in the basket to be washed. Remove houseplants in your home as mold grows in the soil. Or replace the top layer of soil every month if you can’t bear to part with your favorite plant.

Use these tips as part of your program of treatments for asthma to help manage your condition and ease your suffering.