These exercises can help you get more air into and out of your lungs. Over time, this may help inthcrease lung capacity and cut down on severe asthma symptoms. Your doctor or an occupational therapist can help you learn these breathing exercises for asthma.

These medications should only be used in the event of an asthma attack. They provide quick relief to help you breathe again. Examples include:

• Rescue inhalers and Nebulizers, which are used with medicine that needs to be inhaled deep into the lungs
• Bronchodilators, which work to relax the tightened muscles in your lung
• Anti-inflammatories, which target inflammation in your lungs that could be preventing your breathing

If you think that someone you know is having an asthma attack, you should sit them upright and assist them in using their rescue inhaler or nebulizer. Two to six puffs of medication should help ease their symptoms.

If symptoms persist for more than 20 minutes, and a second round of medication doesn’t help, seek medical attention.

These medications should be taken daily to prevent symptoms. Some rescue treatments, such as inhalers and nebulizers, can be used daily. However, your doctor will need to adjust your dosages.

Several types of medications are used to treat asthma