8 Key Asthma Triggers to Avoid

Asthma is a chronic condition that affects the airways in the lungs. Based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there is 1 in 13 people in the United States has asthma. It may happen in all ages. Worst of all, it always starts during childhood. Some clinical data has confirmed that some certain things can set off asthma symptoms, such as pollen, exercise, viral infections, or cold air, which are called asthma triggers. When we learn some triggers, it may stop symptoms getting worse or prevent an asthma attack.

Asthma triggers

Like many other disease, we cannot confirm the exact cause of asthma attack. But according to clinical experience data, a combination of environmental and inherited (genetic) factors may easily cause a person to get asthma. Here we list some asthma symptoms often occur in response to a trigger.

1. Infections like colds and flu

Colds or flu generally do not result in serious health problems, and usually these symptoms start 1 to 3 days after infection. You may get a scratchy or sore throat or discomfort in the nose around one week. But if it lasts for too longer, these infections may cause a lot of serious problem.

2. Allergies–such as pollen, dust mites, animal fur or feathers

Allergies, also known as allergic diseases, are very complex disease. It is caused by a number of conditions, mainly occurring in hypersensitivity of the immune system which reacts to a foreign substance, such as pollen, dust mites, animal fur or feathers, sometimes maybe a particular food.

3. Smoke, fumes and pollution

Outdoor air pollution is a big trigger causing an asthma attack. In the city, this pollution often comes from many sources, including factories, cars, waste incineration. In the rural area, wildfire smoke is a serious issue. This kind of smoke is mainly from burning wood or other plants, which include a mix of harmful gases and small particles. If you are unlucky to breathe in too much of this smoke, it can be likely to cause an asthma attack. Especially, the occupational asthma. They are triggered by long-term workplace irritants such as chemical fumes, gases or dust.

4. Medicines–particularly anti-inflammatory painkillers like ibuprofen and aspirin

According to some clinical patients, the person with asthma are more likely to be sensitive to aspirin and Ibuprofen. These two medicines are not only a recognized condition for asthma, but also may increase the risk of death from a severe attack.

5. Emotions, including stress, or laughter

It's not clear why some people with asthma are overly sensitive to these strong emotions and stress, including laughter, anxiety and depression. There is evidence of a link between asthma and these strong emotions, though the outcomes are sometimes not consistent.

6. Weather

Weather, such as sudden changes in temperature, cold air, wind, thunderstorms, heat and humidity, is as an asthma trigger. These condition can cause bad flare-ups. Mostly we think of asthma symptoms will highly worsen in the winter, because cooler air can dry out the tissues in your airways, making them more narrow and swelling. However hot summer weather can trigger asthma symptoms, either.

7. Mould or damp

Mould is caused by damp. It always occurs when the moisture content of the air is high. Living in a damp, mouldy home is bad for your asthma. Babies, small children, older people, and people with allergies are more likely to be affected. If you are exposure to indoor and outdoor areas that are damp and have mould, especially in bathrooms or in corners, in or behind cupboards or wardrobe, where they tend to be easily lack of air movement, which can be more likely to have respiratory problems, respiratory infections, allergies or asthma.

8. Exercise

Some studies show that moderate exercise can help reduce asthma symptoms. As exercise is known to improve lung function in people with asthma, so it is often recommended as a part of the healthcare routine. However, sometimes it may be likely to cause exercise-induced asthma, especially in cold and dry air.

All these triggers are found in many cases. Once you know them, trying to avoid them may help control your asthma symptoms. Especially, stopping some situations which may flare up in certain conditions.