Despite the "gloom and doom" of asthma statistics -- the number of new asthma cases in the United States has increased 30 percent since 1980, and the asthma death rate rose 46 percent in the 1980s alone -- "asthma is probably among the most treatable of all diseases," says allergist Dr. M. Eric Gershwin, a professor of medicine at the UC Davis School of Medicine and chief of the rheumatology/allergy and clinical immunology division. "Asthma can be controlled with an aggressive and comprehensive treatment program that focuses on prevention," he says. "People with asthma can lead comfortable, normal lives." Gershwin developed asthma in childhood, as did two of his three children. To control asthma, Gershwin says, it's important to understand it, know what triggers it, avoid those triggers, know and heed the early warning signals, know what medications work and why, know medications should be taken, know when to get medical help, maintain a well-balanced diet and follow a regular exercise program.