11 Common Triggers for Asthma
Asthma is a condition in which the swelled airway produces extra mucus. This leads to shortness of breath, wheezing sound, difficult breathing, and triggers coughing. An asthma attack can happen when you are exposed to asthma triggers. Different patients show different asthma triggers. Here are some common triggers for asthma.
1. Air pollution
Air pollution is one of the common asthma triggers that can cause an asthma attack. Pollution from factories, vehicles, and burning of wood or wildfire smoke emits harmful gases and makes breathing difficult, leading to an asthma attack.
2. Dust allergens
Dust mites are microscopic house bugs that can trigger asthma. People who have asthma are generally allergic to dust mites, and to prevent dust mites; it’s always useful to have allergen-proof pillow covers and mattresses.
3. Smoke
Tobacco smoke is toxic and unhealthy for everybody, especially for asthmatic people, as it is difficult for them to breathe. People who are passive smokers are equally at risk of triggering an asthma attack as they breathe the air created by a smoker.
4. Food additives
Certain foods like wheat, soy, some fresh fruits, tree nuts, peanuts can cause food allergies, which, in turn, can trigger asthma. Food preservatives and food allergies can lead to mild-severe life-threatening asthmatic reactions.
5. Asthma and exercise
Heavy workouts are not recommended to asthmatic people as it narrows down the airway. It is one of the main asthma triggers. Chest-tightness, cough, troubled breathing after a workout are signs and triggers of exercise-induced asthma.
6. Change of weather
Change in weather conditions like change in temperature, cold air, humidity can also trigger asthma.
7. Asthma and medications
People who are aspirin-sensitive asthmatic are generally allergic and have trouble with anti-inflammatory medicines like ibuprofen and beta-blockers that are used to treat heart diseases or blood pressure and can trigger asthma.
8. Infections
Infections are one of the common triggers for asthma. Infections like cold, flu, sinus can trigger an asthma attack. These are respiratory infections that are either viral or bacterial and can cause an asthma attack.
9. Anxiety and stress
Emotional anxiety and related stress can trigger asthma symptoms leading to an attack. Proper diet, rest, and light exercises can help in managing asthma.
10. Disinfectants and cleaners
Asthmatic people should avoid being near the place where cleaners or disinfectants are being used, as this can trigger asthma symptoms leading to an attack.
11. Molds
Breathing in molds can trigger an asthma attack on whether or not you are allergic. Mold growth is found in damp areas of kitchen, bathroom, and basements.
These are some common triggers for asthma. Eating fresh fruits and nutritious food can help in managing asthma symptoms and also improves the immune system. Adequate intake of vitamin A-rich foods, vitamin D, eating apples and bananas are beneficial in managing asthma triggers.