Asthma is a chronic lung disease that affects more than 20 million people in the United States, and possibly 30 to 40 million worldwide as the air is getting more and more polluted and more developing countries emerging.

It accounts for approximately 14.5 million missed work days for adults and 14 million missed school days for children annually.

Productivity in a companies, countries are greatly affected. What can be done? There is a way, do read on...

For most people who have asthma, their air flowing in and out of their lungs may be blocked by muscle swelling and squeezing.

Symptoms of asthma include cough, chest tightness, shortness of breath, mirgraine, bad tempered, stress and wheezing.

Ask yourself these questions:

For the adult:* Is there a family history of asthma or allergies? * Are you constantly short of breath and wheezing? * When do you notice your symptoms - when you have a cold, when you are exercising or around allergens, such as pollen, mold and animal dander? * Are you missing work because of symptoms? * Is coughing and wheezing keeping you up at night? * Are you throwing your temper lately?

For the child:* Does the child cough, wheeze (a rattling sound when they breathe), have chest tightness or shortness of breath? * Does the child cough or wheeze with play, exercise, laughter or during temper tantrums? * Is the child missing school because of symptoms? * Is coughing and wheezing keeping the child up at night? * Is there a family history of asthma or allergies?

If you are experiencing symptoms and they are keeping you from work, school or normal activities, you should consider talking to a doctor to see if you have asthma.

"Every person has their own triggers," said Jonathan Corren, MD, member of the AAAAI's Quality of Care for Asthma Committee.

"If you have asthma, you can minimize your symptoms by avoiding the factors that trigger your symptoms and by working with your allergist/immunologist."

If you know you have asthma, the next time is how to reduce it?

8 tips to reduce the risk of asthma and hay fever attacks when pets are in the home.

1) If possible, keep your pets outside. If not, then at least keep them out of the bedroom where asthma sufferers sleep.

2) There is evidence that bathing your pet at least once a week will reduce the amount of allergens it emits.

3) If possible, have someone other than the person with asthma bathe your pet(s).

4) Brush your pet outside regularly. If possible, avoid having the asthma sufferer do this.

5) Clean your pets litter box, cage, etc. on a regular basis.

6) Cover your fabrics, furniture, pillows, and mattresses with plastic covers.

7) Immunotherapy can be helpful. However, there can be side effects with this treatment.

8) When pets are in the home, there is no avoiding the fact that there will be dander, hair, and contaminates emitted from their feces in the air your breathe.

In which case, an air purifier is a good idea if you must have them, preferably one that does not rely on a filter to clean the air.

Plus, if you get an air purifier that uses negative ions and ozone instead of just a filter, it will effectively reduce odors, which can also trigger asthma, aside from the fact that they are unpleasant.