Smoke signals trouble

For many people, tobacco smoke — either first-hand or second-hand — can aggravate asthma symptoms.

• Smoke causes irritation in the airways, causing them to become swollen, narrow, and filled with sticky mucus. This is what happens during an asthma attack. Smoking can cause more frequent asthma flare-ups, making them more severe and harder to control.
• Smoking can undo the effect of your long-term basis medicine and can force you to take more of your quick-relief medicine. It can also diminish your performance in sports and other activities. By making you cough more, it can disturb your sleep and finally it might send you to the hospital with an asthma attack.

Second-hand smoke

Even if you are a non-smoker, you may be exposed to second-hand smoke in restaurants, parties, or even at home if one of your family member smokes. Second-hand smoke is a known asthma trigger. Do your best to avoid it. The harmful effects of just one cigarette can linger in your home for as long as 7 days.

• Second-hand smoke will likely cause you to have more frequent and severe asthma symptoms. Your asthma may be harder to keep under control, causing you to take more medication and to visit your doctor as well as the hospital more often.