Associated issues

Exercise Having asthma does not mean you cannot exercise. Most people with well-controlled asthma can exercise and participate in sports with few difficulties. Even people with exercise-induced asthma can and should exercise regularly. Although
some sports can be risky for people with asthma (for example scuba diving), people with asthma can take part in most types of sports. Here are some tips for safe exercising:

• Take your medicines prior to exercise, as this may help to prevent exercise-induced asthma
  
  
• Always warm-up and warm-down properly
  
  
• Avoid environmental triggers such as pollen, air pollution or cold weather wherever possible

Missing work or school
As long as your asthma is well controlled, you should not have any more absences from work or school than someone who does not have asthma. If your child has asthma, it is important that you inform his/her school and make sure that your child’s teacher can recognise the symptoms of an asthma attack and knows what to do in the event of your child having an asthma attack.

Complementary therapies
The word 'complementary' can be used to refer to a wide range of treatments and therapies which, usually, do not use medicines prescribed by doctors. Complementary therapies include:

• Acupuncture
• Homeopathy
• Herbal medicine
• Yoga and relaxation techniques
• Hypnosis
• The Buteyko technique, a system of breathing exercises and behavioural changes intended to improve health by altering the balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in exhaled air

If you are considering trying a complementary medicine or therapy, you should talk to your doctor first, as some complementary medicines may be harmful for people with asthma.

Stress Stress can trigger asthma so it is important to avoid stressful situations as much as possible. Taking steps to reduce stress in your daily activities will help to reduce your risk of having an asthma attack. Exercise is often part of a stress management
program. Some other techniques which may help you to lower your stress levels include relaxation, meditation and deep breathing.

Employment
As long as your asthma is well controlled, you will be able to apply for most jobs. Some jobs, such as those in the armed forces or the police require applicants to have a high level of physical fitness and you will be considered on an individual basis. Some jobs that involve working closely with triggers for your asthma, for example certain chemicals used in engineering or in a laboratory or dust from flour in a bakery, may not be ideal occupations for you. If you feel that your job is aggravating your asthma, you should talk to your doctor or nurse.

Pregnancy
Your asthma may get better, worse or remain the same during pregnancy. It is generally safe for women with asthma to become pregnant. It is important that your asthma remains well controlled during your pregnancy and if this is the case, you are no more likely to have any problems than women who do not have asthma. However, if your asthma is not well controlled during pregnancy, there is a chance that your baby will be born prematurely or have a lower than normal birth weight. If you have asthma and you are pregnant, your doctor will closely monitor your asthma. He/she will also carefully monitor your baby’s development to make sure there are no problems. You should continue to take any asthma medicines prescribed by your doctor.

Heredity
You may be worried that your children will inherit a risk of developing asthma from you. Asthma often runs in families. If you or your partner have asthma, hay fever or eczema, your child is more likely to develop asthma.