Every December, it seems to be the same story: the Christmas tree goes up, and suddenly you start feeling worn down. Perhaps you experience sniffles, a plugged nose, coughing, or other yuck. So you ask yourself: Can I be allergic to Christmas trees?

After all, December should be a time for celebration, for getting together with friends and family, for appreciating beautiful holiday decorations (lights, tinsel, and trees). You don’t want to spend the season nursing a runny nose if you don’t have to.

So is it your tree making you sneeze? Or is something else going on? The answer can help you get back to enjoying the holidays.

Asthma can cause shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, and tightness in the chest, so it’s nice to have something handy that can eliminate those symptoms fast. That’s probably why your albuterol inhaler has quickly become your best friend! But there can be downsides to getting too much albuterol.

There’s nothing quite like that first sniff of spring after a long and snowy winter. You throw open your windows, you hear the birds chirping, and you can smell spring in the air. That’s when you start sneezing. Or coughing. And throughout later March and April all you seem to be feeling is… congested.

You’re out on a relaxing hike when you first notice the itching. The sensation starts on your arms, under layers of winter gear. As you turn back, you think you can feel the hives spreading--and you realize that you’re going to have to walk all the way back to your car itching like crazy. It’s not a thought that fills you with joy, especially because you didn’t think winter allergies were a thing. Certainly not winter hives!

Everyone’s asthma experience is going to be a little bit different. A diversity of triggers and varied levels of severity mean that everyday life with asthma could look very different from one person to another. For some people, asthma may amount to little more than a minor nuisance. For others, this breathing condition can interfere with everyday life and require consistent monitoring.

You’re having a great time on your hike--and it’s just what you needed: fresh air, lovely views, and a little bit of exercise. But then you felt a little pinch on your leg. It was probably a mosquito. But what if it was a bee? Like a lot of people, you know that you’re allergic to bees and can have a pretty serious reaction. But how do you know if you’re going into anaphylaxis?

By undergoing an asthma control test, you can get a better idea of how to treat your asthma and stay happy and healthy.

Asthma control is all about the rule of two. Are you using your asthma reliever more than twice a week? If so, it’s time to change up your treatment plan. You don't have to suffer!