Asthma is a disease which affects the airways, leading to periods of wheezing and shortness of breath.

Potential triggers include exercise, cold air, animal hair, dust, pollution, certain foods - especially wheat - plus stress, pollen, cigarette smoke and medication such as aspirin. If you have any breathing problems stay away from cigarette smoke at all times.

Reduce intake of salt, any junk foods, fizzy drinks, sugar, nuts and seafood. Avoid foods and drinks that have been preserved with sulphur, such as dried fruits, wines, beers and commercially produced salads. Most health shops now sell organic dried fruits that are free from sulphur. Vitally important in the control of asthma is the elimination of all food additives as these are often implicated in the triggering of attacks. The diet should be rich in dark green leaf and orange vegetables, garlic, onions, fresh salmon, mackerel, sardines and extra virgin olive oil. If you have a juicer, blend any vegetables such as carrot, radish, beetroot, apples etc and drink immediately after juicing. Also include linseeds, unrefined linseed oil and pumpkin seeds in the diet.

A vegan diet has been found helpful when followed for at least 12 months. Refined wheat seems to trigger wheezing in some people. Try avoiding all wheat and any products made with any type of flour for a week to see if this helps.

A multi-vitamin and mineral capsule. Available from Larkhall Green Farm on 0208-874 1130.

The herb ginkgo biloba (100mg of standardised extract) plus essential fatty acids are also known to help asthma.

To help heal a leaky gut, which often contributes to asthma take N-acetyl glucosamine (NAG), an amino sugar. Available from BioCare on 0121-433 3727.

Herbetom is a concentrated blend of herbal extracts and nutrients known for their action on mucous membranes of the respiratory tract. The formula was developed and tested in Spanish clinics and was found to be effected in several clinical trials. Available from the Nutri Centre on 0207-436 5122.

Potter's make a herbal mixture containing horehound, pleurisy root, senega and lobelia. It's called Chest Mixture which is available from all good health stores.

Many asthmatics benefit from tuition in proper breathing techniques. Correct breathing is an integral part of yoga and useful for stress reduction too. Tai Chi or Quigong - ancient forms of exercise - have helped some sufferers to reduce or eliminate asthma attacks.

Colonic irrigation, homeopathy and consulting a nutritionist has proved helpful for many sufferers. In the case of children, homeopathy has proved especially helpful, but be sure to consult a qualified doctor who is also a homeopath. To find your nearest practitioner send an SAE to Homeopathic Trust, 2 Powis Place, Great Ormond Street, London WC1N 3HT.

Honeywell make a room air filter called Envirocare, which removes all known airborne allergens. For details call Essential Systems on 01344 874573.

Phone the Asthma Helpline on 0345 010203, from 9am to 9pm. National Asthma Campaign Information packs are available by calling 0207 226 2260.