frustration, laughing too hard, crying, coughing -- exercise, smoke -- yours and someone else's -- pollen, air pollution, animals and insects, dust, vapours, cosmetics, certain food and cleaning products, fibres and metals among them.

Dust mite and mildew are other major offenders, but there are many ways in which to fight this around the home as part of an overall maintenance programme to prevent asthma attacks: General cleaning: Thoroughly clean the home on a frequent basis.

Vacuuming: Have a good quality vacuum cleaner. If possible get someone else to clean your home. After vacuuming, keep asthmatics out of the house for at least one and one half hours because the microscopic dust mites remain airborne for this length of time. Take care to clean corners, upholstery, and normally hidden surfaces, such as under settees, beds and chairs.

Dusting: Damp dust furniture, and don't forget all fans (floor and ceiling), heaters, lamp shades, book shelves and picture frames. Never use a feather duster, which simply moves dust from one place to another.

Cushions, Carpeting, Venetian blinds: Avoid feather or down cushions, carpeting and Venetian blinds, if possible.

Bedroom: Keep as sparse and easy to clean as possible. Tile or sealed wood floors which are easily damp-mopped are ideal. It's best to avoid drapes, but if you must, wash them frequently. Avoid Venetian blinds.

Bedding: Never sleep with down pillows or comforters. Use non-allergenic pillows. Replace mattresses every few years. Cover pillows and mattress with special, zippered non-allergy covers. Wash such covers, mattress pad and allergy-free blankets regularly. Replace pillows once a year. Store all comforters and blankets in zip-up bags in a heated closet during the summer.

Clean them before the winter season. Keep all sweaters and clothes not used regularly in zip-up bags in a heated closet. Wash all sweaters before the winter season.

Stuffed Toys: These should not be encouraged in an asthmatic's bedroom. Treat it monthly for dust mite and mildew by sealing it in a plastic bag and putting it in the freezer.