May is Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month.

What Causes or Triggers Asthma?

People with asthma have inflamed airways which are sensitive to things which may not bother other people. These things are “triggers.”

Asthma triggers vary from person to person. Some people react to only a few while others react to many.
If you have asthma, it is important to keep track of the causes or triggers that you know provoke your asthma. Because the symptoms do not always occur right after exposure, this may take a bit of detective work. Delayed asthma episodes may occur depending on the type of trigger and how sensitive a person is to it.

The most common asthma triggers include:

Allergies (Allergic Asthma)

Substances that cause allergies (allergens) can trigger asthma. If you inhale something you are allergic to, you may experience asthma symptoms. It is best to avoid or limit contact with known allergens to decrease or prevent asthma episodes.

Common allergens that cause allergic asthma include:

Dust mites
Cockroach
Pollen
Molds
Pet dander
Rodents

Learn more about allergic asthma.

Irritants in the Air

Irritants in the environment can also bring on an asthma episode. Although people are not allergic to these items, they can bother inflamed, sensitive airways:

Smoke from cigarettes
Air pollution such as smog, ozone and others
Wood fires
Charcoal grills
Strong fumes, vapors or odors (such as paint, gasoline, perfumes and scented soaps)
Dust and particles in the air
Chemicals

Respiratory Illness

Colds
Flu (influenza)
Sore throats
Sinus infections
Pneumonia

Respiratory infections are the most common asthma trigger in children.

Exercise

Exercise and other activities that make you breathe harder can affect your asthma. Exercise – especially in cold air – is a frequent asthma trigger. Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) is a form of asthma that is triggered by physical activity. It is also known as exercise-induced asthma (EIA). Symptoms may not appear until after several minutes of sustained exercise. (If symptoms appear sooner than this, it usually means you need to adjust your treatment.) With proper treatment, you do not need to limit your physical activity.

Weather

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

Feeling and Expressing Strong Emotions

Anger
Fear
Excitement
Laughter
Yelling
Crying

When you feel strong emotions, your breathing changes – even if you don’t have asthma. It may cause wheezing or other asthma symptoms in someone with asthma.

Medicines

Some medicines can also trigger asthma:
If you are sensitive to aspirin and NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)
If you take medicines known as beta blockers – they can also make asthma harder to control

Other Asthma Triggers

Other triggers to consider and discuss with your healthcare provider are:

Sulfites in food
Hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle
Other medical problems like reflux (GERD)

Talk to your health care provider about your asthma and your triggers. Be sure to discuss any changes in your asthma management.

Source: For life without limits™
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America 8201 Corporate Drive Suite 1000 Landover, MD 20785 Phone: 1-800-7-ASTHMA (1.800.727.8462)