New Delhi: World Asthma Day takes place on the first Tuesday of May.

World Asthma Day is an annual event organized by the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) to improve asthma awareness and care around the world.

Asthma is a chronic disease of the air passages of the lungs which inflames and narrows them, increasing at the rate of 250,000 deaths annually.

According to the Asthma Society of India, at present 25% of Indian population suffers from allergy and 5% of them are suffering from asthma. It is the common disease among children.

Symptoms of asthma- Wheezing, Coughing especially at night, Chest tightness, Chest pain, shortness of breath, Nasal congestion, Signs of a cold or allergies, Trouble sleeping.

It is not clear yet, that what causes asthma and it cannot be prevented too, but you can lessen the possibility of an asthma attack by taking several steps like yoga on your own besides medicine.

Here are some few tips for keeping asthma at track:

- Avoiding triggers and allergens

– common allergens that cause allergic asthma are smoke, dust mites, pollens, molds, pet dander, rodents.

- Wear a face mask if your asthma is worsened by cold or dry air.

- Try to discover which forms of exercise are best for people with asthma. Regular exercise can strengthen your lungs and heart, which helps relieve asthma symptoms.

- Maintain a healthy weight as being overweight can increase your risk of symptoms as well as other health problems.

- Learn how to manage stress to reduce your asthma symptoms.

- Eat a healthy, balanced diet that includes plenty of fresh and unprocessed foods. Since some people with asthma have food allergies that can trigger asthma attacks, it is best to consult with your doctor or dietician.

- Get regular checkups for your asthma.