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What Triggers Asthma Attacks?
Most asthmatics (people with asthma) find one or more of the following a trigger:
1. Strong smells
including perfume and fragrant flowers.
2.
Dry or cold air.
3. A
substance in the air that irritates the airwaves such as cigarette
smoke, traffic fumes and industrial pollutants. Domestic pollution
is often the worst, especially if you have a gas cooker without adequate
ventilation. Fortunately there is a lot you can do to improve the air you breathe.
4. Weather
conditions, especially thunderstorms.
5.
Exercise (because breathing hard dries out the airways).
6. Foods
and drinks that contain sulfur based
preservatives such as wine, beer, cider
and soft drinks. Dried fruit (except those that state 'unsulphured'), french fries, ready-made salads, fruit salads and shellfish.
On food packaging stay away from anything that
contains sulphite, metabisulphite or
E-numbers 220-227.
7. Foods that
give you heartburn (acid reflux or GERD) can trigger
attacks.
8. Foods
containing histamine such as strawberries, tomatoes, pork,
chocolate, egg white, pineapple, papaya and tartrazine (food additive used
in yellow coloring).
9.
Laughing, yawning, sighing, coughing or any other altered breathing
pattern.
10.
Stress or anxiety.
11. Situations or
people that evoke unpleasant memories -including traumatic childhood
memories; sometimes psychotherapy is needed to sort out
such problems.
12.
Allergens responsible for the asthma, e.g. cat allergen, dust
mites, mold, pollen.
13. Colds,
flu and chest infections.
Less Common Causes
Overuse of aspirin and other
antiinflammatory drugs (particularly in women who suffer from arthritis,
menstrual cramps and headaches) can trigger an asthma attack in rare cases.
Are Asthma Attacks More Common In
Pregnancy?
There is no evidence that asthma attacks are more
common or severe during pregnancy, but asthma can still pose a problem for
pregnant women. This is because restricted airflow can potentially
starve the growing fetus of oxygen. Still, most women manage to stay healthy and
give birth to healthy babies by continuing to take their asthma
medication under the supervision of their doctor.
What Causes Asthma Attacks At Night?
Asthma at night is known as nocturnal asthma.
People who suffer attacks at night find it particularly distressing because
it leads to lack of sleep and exhaustion. Even more importantly, studies
show more asthma deaths occur at night than at any other time. The exact cause of
nocturnal asthma is not known, but it may include:
1. Lying down
slows the rate secretions (from your nose, sinuses and lungs) leaving the airways.
2. Air
conditioning, cold air can trigger attacks.
3. GERD or acid
reflux can trigger an attack.
4. Hormone
fluctuations (which change at nighttime).
Discover Your Triggers
Keep a diary to record your asthma symptoms, this will help you
identify your personal triggers.
Generally, triggers should be avoided, except perhaps for exercise.
Not exercising does more harm than good in the long run- without exercise,
your asthma will get far worse. Funny enough - exercise induced asthma
is best treated by exercise! As your fitness improves, you don't have to
pant so hard so your airways are less likely to dry out. Many
asthmatics say that once you get over the first hurdle - the wheezing in the
first few minutes - the exercise gets easier. See
what is the best exercise for asthma?
• Got another question? See: Allergy Questions
What Is Asthma?
Clear and simple definition.
What Causes Asthma?
Discover the links to DNA, lifestyle and obesity.
How is asthma diagnosed?
Testing for the condition.
When is asthma not asthma?
Other things that can mimic symptoms.
What Are The
Symptoms Of Asthma?
Do you show any of the signs?.
What Is An Asthma Diet?
Healthy foods to prevent attacks.
What Is The Treatment For Asthma?
Most common medications.
When Is A Cough
Asthma?
Chronic coughing may be a sign.
Return to homepage: Womens Health Advice
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