Housework is officially bad for you. Experts say cleaning sprays could increase your risk of asthma by 70 percent but this doesn’t mean you should ditch the cleaning and dusting; quite the opposite as studies show that exercise is a great way to burn calories. Just try natural brands or store cupboards alternatives such as lemon juice with vinegar.

Q: “My son has had a bout of asthma twice from eating hamburgers and fizzy drinks from a well known food chain. Could there be a link?”

A: There may be, according to New Zealand doctors who in 2005 reported a series of cases. It’s still not clear whether it is the material in the burgers or the drinks that caused the flare ups but they describe it as significant and advise people with asthma to be wary of fast food.