Things that Trigger Asthma

People with asthma can take an active role in controlling their disease by identifying and reducing exposure to those factors that increase symptoms or cause asthma attacks. For example, if allergies trigger your asthma, being aware of those allergies and avoid them to significantly reduce the frequency or severity of asthma attacks.

What Are the Most Common Asthma Triggers?

• Upper respiratory infections. Cold and flu, bronchitis (infection of the large airways), or sinus infections can cause an asthma attack.
• Inhaled allergens. Eighty percent of people with asthma have allergies to airborne substances such as tree, grass and weed pollens, mold, animal dander, dust mites and cockroach particles.
• Medications. Many people with asthma are sensitive to aspirin and other anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), ketoprofen (Orudis) and beta-blockers (used to prevent migraine headaches and treat heart disease, high blood pressure and glaucoma).
• Food and food additives. Certain foods contain substances that can trigger asthma symptoms.
• Exercise. Strenuous exercise can cause a narrowing of the airways in about 80% of people with asthma.
• Irritants. Many irritants, including tobacco smoke, smoke from wood-burning appliances or fireplaces, strong odors from perfumes, and cleaning agents, etc., are all irritants that can trigger asthma. In addition, air pollution, occupational dust or vapors can also trigger an attack.
• Weather. Cold air, changes in temperature and humidity can cause asthma.
• Strong emotions. Anxiety, crying, yelling, stress, anger or laughing hard can trigger an attack.
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

How Do Triggers Make Asthma Worse?
In people with asthma, the airways are always inflamed and very sensitive, so they react to a variety of external factors, or "triggers." Coming into contact with these triggers is what causes the airways to tighten, increase inflammation and become blocked with mucus, resulting in breathing problems, asthma, or worsening of asthma symptoms. An asthma attack can begin immediately after exposure to a trigger or several days or even weeks later.

There are many kinds of triggers. Reactions to them are different for each person and vary from time to time. Certain triggers may be harmless to some people but contribute to inflammation in others. Some people have many triggers while others have no identifiable ones. Recognizing and avoiding these triggers, when possible, is an important way to control asthma. Keep in mind, however, that the best way to control it is with asthma medicines.

How Do I Recognize What Triggers My Asthma?
Determining what factors were present when your asthma symptoms started is the first step to recognizing your asthma triggers. Although there are many different triggers, you may not react to all of them. Some people have only one trigger, while others have many.

Many asthma triggers can be identified through a history of reaction and skin or blood testing. Your doctor may also recommend using a device called a peak flow meter. The peak flow meter measures how much and how quickly air is exhaled from the lungs. It can alert you to changes in your breathing and the onset of asthma symptoms, triggered by an allergen.

Ask your doctor or asthma care provider if using a peak flow meter would be helpful to you.