Asthma Triggers

Asthma is a very serious lung disease that causes more than 2 million hospital emergency room visits and approximately 5,000 deaths annually. Each year there are approximately 500,000 people admitted to the hospital for asthma and asthma-related problems. Asthma is a chronic lung disease that affects the tubes that carry the air to and from a person’s lungs. Asthma causes the inside of the tubes, or airways, to swell, making the airways extremely sensitive, and inducing strong reactions to irritants and allergies. This reaction triggers the airway to get even narrower as less air goes through the lung tissue. Because of this, wheezing, breathing difficulties, chest tightness and coughing occur, most often early in the morning or at night. There is no known cure for asthma, but with the proper control, people with asthma can have infrequent or fewer symptoms. In many people with asthma, there are certain asthma triggers, which set off an asthma attack.

Doctors do not always know what causes an asthma attack but in many people, there are certain asthma triggers that cause their asthma to get worse or even severe. Asthma triggers are certain things that start or set off an asthma attack. In some people with asthma, even catching a cold will trigger an attack. By identifying certain triggers and avoiding them, it often reduces the symptoms of asthma. Some of the identifiable asthma triggers include:

Air Pollution and Smoke
Air pollution caused by factories, exhaust from motor vehicles, smoke from fires and wood stoves and cigarette smoke often trigger asthma.

Dust Mites
A dust mite is a tiny microscopic insect that lives in bedding and furniture. These dust mites feed on human and animal dead skin particles. In some people, dust mites cause allergies or asthma.

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Exercise
Strenuous exercise is a common asthma trigger. Non-strenuous exercise and sports are usually good for people with asthma. Some doctors recommend using an inhaler before exercising, but a person needs to talk to their physician before any form of exercise or sports.

Emotion
For some reason strong emotions such as worrying, stress, being upset or even laughing can cause asthma symptoms.

Food
In some people, there are certain foods that either cause asthma or worsen asthma symptoms. Although not as common as other triggers, food such as fish, eggs and nuts cause asthma problems in certain people.

Infections
The flu, common cold and viral respiratory infections, among others, are common asthma triggers in adults and children.

Medicine
The side effects from some medications, such as some beta-blockers, aspirin and glaucoma eye drops, constrict the small airways to the lungs causing an asthma attack.

Moulds and Pollen
During hay fever season or other times of year, pollen from plants, trees, grass and other molds and pollen can trigger asthma.