An ongoing respiratory disease that causes inflammation and hyperresponsiveness in the airways, asthma can interfere with breathing and make daily tasks difficult. Understanding and avoiding your triggers—the things that aggravate your symptoms, such as coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and tightness in your chest—is essential to managing your asthma, even if there is no known cure.
Understanding Triggers:
Everybody has different triggers, and they can differ in strength. What sets off an asthma attack in one individual may not have the same effect on another. Below is a summary of some typical asthma triggers:
- Airborne allergens: These can aggravate your respiratory tract and precipitate symptoms of asthma. Examples of these allergens include dust mites, pollen, pet dander, and mold spores.
- All of the following can aggravate asthma symptoms: smoke (including secondhand smoke), strong perfume or cleaning product aromas, air pollution, and even cold, dry air.
- Infections: Airway inflammation and exacerbation of asthma symptoms can be caused by colds, influenza, and other respiratory illnesses.
- Drugs: Aspirin and ibuprofen, two NSAIDs, are among the drugs that some people take to prevent asthma attacks.
- Exercise: Engaging in physical activity might produce symptoms of exercise-induced asthma (EIA), which is a common occurrence.
- Stress: Although it isn’t a direct cause, emotional stress can make asthma symptoms worse already.
Identifying Triggers:
Effective management of your asthma depends on you identifying your own particular triggers. The following techniques will assist you in identifying your culprits:
- Monitor Your Illnesses: Keep a journal about your asthma. Note the time, date, place, activities you did, and how severe your symptoms were. Make a note of any possible triggers in your surroundings.
- Examine the medications you take: Keep track of any changes you make to your prescriptions, including over-the-counter meds, and see if they align with asthma attacks.
- Seasonal Patterns: Keep track of whether your symptoms get worse at particular times of year. This could be a sign of a seasonal pollen allergy.
- Think About Your Setting: Think back to any recent events or alterations in your surroundings that may have precipitated an attack, such as the use of new cleaning supplies, being near smoking, or having more pet dander.
Strategies for Avoiding Triggers:
- Reduce Allergen Exposure: purchase bedding that is allergen-proof and clean carpets and upholstery frequently if dust mites are a trigger. On days with a high pollen count, remain inside and keep your windows closed if you suffer from pollen allergies.
- Reducing Irritant Exposure: Steer clear of smoke, both indoor and outdoor. Steer clear of harsh scents and use natural cleaning agents instead. On days with high pollution, wear a mask when cleaning dusty places or going outside.
- Prevent Respiratory Infections: Wash your hands frequently and maintain proper hygiene to reduce your chance of getting the flu and colds. In order to remain protected, get the recommended vaccines.
- See Your Doctor About Medications: Talk to your doctor about other possibilities if you find that particular medications are aggravating your asthma.
- Warm Up Before Exercise: If your doctor advises using a quick-relief inhaler, warm up appropriately before engaging in any physical activity if you have asthma that is aggravated by exercise.
- Control Stress: You might potentially lessen the symptoms of asthma by practising relaxation techniques like yoga, meditation, or deep breathing exercises.
