The other cause of symptoms is that the muscles surrounding the airway twitch and tighten, causing the air channel to narrow. The muscle tension is usually caused if inflammation is not treated. Airways of someone with asthma are inflamed all the time to a degree. The greater the inflammation, the more sensitive the airway is, leading to increased breathing difficulty. -Remove carpet in the home; dander is more likely to be trapped, even from regular vacuuming within carpet fibers. Of particular interest for the allergy sufferer is no carpet in the bedroom. -Shield your mattress and pillows in allergen-proof covers. -Clean all areas the pet travels often using a vacuum with HEPA (high-efficiency particular air) filter. There is a huge world of support out there for those living with asthma, and much of it can be found through the online community. Look for online message boards, forums, and chat groups where people who have asthma can share thoughts, ideas, and advice. The Internet is a great way to connect with others. Can you Exercise When You have Asthma Some might say that if you are stricken with a debilitating breathing disease like asthma that you should not exercise. You are not able to exercise! How can anyone who can t breathe be expected to put forth the least physical exertion. If you said this, then you would be wrong. Living with Asthma in an elderly Relative Though living with an elderly relative with Asthma is not much different to living with any other age group with asthma, you naturally have to take a little bit more special care. They are one of the at risk groups, and they don t always associate the symptoms of asthma as an attack but prefer to simply put it down to old age. Living with asthma means learning how to breathe in a whole new way but it s not quite as daunting as it sounds. When you and your doctor learn that you re living with asthma, you ll be prescribed medication that helps open air passageways to promote air flow and clean breathing. This medication may be taken every day, or as needed when breathing becomes a hassle.