Health Tips

When someone has asthma, their usually inflamed airways are sensitive to things which may not bother other people. These things are called “triggers”.

Exposure to these triggers may cause them to have an asthma attack, where they will have trouble breathing normally as their airways become more swollen, narrow and filled with mucus. They may experience shortness of breath, wheeze or cough as their body tries to get rid of the mucus.

What you need to be aware of when you suffer from asthma is, of course, to know the triggers that can provoke an asthma attack.

"Your triggers can be very different from those of someone else with asthma. Some people react to only a few while others react to many."

So it’s important to keep track of your triggers and learn how to avoid them whenever possible.

If you are unable to avoid the triggers, at least you are more aware and prepared when you do have an asthma attack.

Some of the most common asthma triggers include:

1. Tobacco Smoke

Cigarette smoke is unhealthy for everyone, and people with asthma have even more reason to avoid smoking than those without asthma. Smoke from the cigarette is an irritant that often aggravates asthma.

Their sensitive lungs are especially vulnerable to the damaging effects of cigarette smoke.

2. Respiratory infections/illness

Viral and bacterial infections such as flu, common cold and sinusitis are one of the most common asthma triggers in children. As a matter of fact, the common cold is known to cause around 4 out of 5 bad asthma attacks.

Prompt treatment of these upper respiratory infections can prevent or relieve asthma symptoms.

3. Allergies or irritants

Many people with asthma have allergies, which can trigger asthma symptoms. Allergies tend to run in the family and it occurs when a person’s immune system reacts to substances (allergens) that are harmless to most people.

Common allergens include dust mites, animal dander, molds, pollen, and cockroach droppings. It’s best to avoid or limit contact with known allergens to prevent asthma episodes.

4. Exercise

Exercise-induced asthma (EIA) or exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB), is a form of asthma that is triggered by physical activity. If you have EIA or EIB, you will feel symptoms such as chest tightness, cough and have trouble breathing after several minutes of sustained exercise.

Usually, these symptoms will go away in the next 30 to 60 minutes of exercise, but up to 50% of people with EIA may have another attack 6 to 10 hours later. A slow warm-up may help prevent this.

5. Food and food additives

If you have food allergies, asthma can cause mild to severe life-threatening reactions. The most common foods associated with allergic symptoms are eggs, peanuts, cow’s milk, soy, wheat, and seafood.

Also, beware of food preservatives, especially sulfite additives that are commonly used in food processing as it can trigger an isolated asthma attack.

6. Weather

Dry wind, cold air or sudden changes in weather can sometimes bring about an asthma episode.

7. Expressing Strong Emotions

When you feel strong emotions like anger, fear, anxiety, crying, yelling or stress, your body naturally reacts to it through your breathing. You will notice your breathing becomes shallow and very fast. This is called hyperventilation and it can cause an asthma attack.

Proper rest, diet, and exercise are important for your overall health and can help in managing asthma.

8. Medications

Some medications can cause or worsen asthma symptoms. These include aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as ibuprofen, and beta-blockers (used to treat heart disease, high blood pressure, migraine headaches or glaucoma).

If you know you’re sensitive to these drugs, make sure you always talk to your doctor or pharmacist before starting a new medication.

It’s not alwaya possible to avoid your triggers, however reducing exposure to your asthma or allergy triggers may make your symptoms easier to manage.

Remember, you can control your asthma.

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Refereces:

1. WebMD. (2018). Asthma Causes and Triggers. [online] Available at: https://www.webmd.com/asthma/asthma-triggers#4.

2. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. (2019). Asthma triggers and management TTR | AAAAI. [online] Available at: https://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/library/asthma-library/asthma-triggers-and-management.

3. Aafa.org. (2015). What Triggers or Causes Asthma? | AAFA.org. [online] Available at: https://www.aafa.org/asthma-triggers-causes/.

4. Nationalasthma.org.au. (2017). The National Asthma Council Australia. [online] Available at: https://www.nationalasthma.org.au/understanding-asthma/what-are-asthma-triggers.

5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2010). Learn what could be triggering your asthma attacks.. [online] Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/asthma/triggers.html.

Image credits:

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6. https://img.webmd.com/dtmcms/live/webmd/consumer_assets/site_images/articles/health_tools/allergens_slide_show/getty_woman_sneezing_in_flowering_meadow.jpg

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Written by

Dr. Jeanrette J. Nierras