Asthma can be debilitating and life-threatening to those who suffer from it. One of the most important things that someone who has asthma can do is find out their triggers. Triggers are what cause symptoms to be felt throughout the body. Triggers can mildly cause symptoms, or they may cause severe to life-threatening issues. Once a person has figured out their triggers, they can work to avoid those triggers to help eliminate symptoms.
Asthma affects thousands of people in the United States today, all with a variety of severity. Some people only have a mild episode once in a while, while some people have asthma-related symptoms every day. Treatment for asthma varies and can include home remedies like keeping the air filter in the HVAC unit clean to medications and an inhaler. Learning what triggers asthma symptoms can help to lessen medication use and help to improve an asthma sufferer’s overall health.
Common Asthma Triggers
There are several different things that can cause a person to suffer from asthma symptoms. Some of the most common asthma triggers include:
- Pet dander - If a person has dogs or cats in their home, they may suffer from asthma symptoms. Hair and skin can get into the air and be inhaled. When this happens, the lungs can become irritated.
- Dust - When a home is dusty, it can trigger breathing issues with asthma.
- Insects and rodents - The droppings from insects like cockroaches and mice can aggravate the lungs and cause asthma attacks.
- Mold - If there are mold and mildew present in the home, the asthma sufferer is at risk of developing a reaction. It is important to note for those that suffer from severe asthma, mold can be a dangerous trigger that may lead to immediate breathing problems upon exposure.
- Viruses and colds - If a person has had a virus or a cold, they may be at risk for developing an asthma attack. This is due to the lungs already being compromised by the cold or virus.
- Smoke - Smokers and people near smokers have reported that it often functions as a trigger.
- Pollen - During the spring of the year, when pollen is plentiful, it can trigger asthma symptoms.
- Cold or humid air - Air that is too cold or too humid can trigger asthma attacks.
- Air pollution - When the air quality is bad, it can create breathing difficulties in those that suffer from asthma.
Once a person has figured out what triggers their asthma, they should do all that they can to avoid it. For example, if a person finds out that pollen aggravates their asthma, they should stay indoors as much as possible. They should also make sure that they clean their HVAC filter regularly to ensure that the air in the home is good quality. Asthma sufferers should also make sure that they stay away from smoke, have their home treated for pets, and do their best to stay healthy and avoid colds and flu.
Treating Asthma
There are many treatment options when it comes to asthma, but the most important thing is to make sure that a person recognizes their triggers and avoids them. They also need to ensure that they track their breathing and their medication to make sure that they avoid asthma attacks. Further treatment options include:
- Medications. There are many medications out there for the treatment of asthma. Some medications are preventive and help to control symptoms for the long term. Other medications include quick-relief inhalers and allergy medications.
- Using air conditioning. If a person has asthma, they should make sure that they use their air conditioning. Using the air conditioning will help to reduce pollen and dust in the air, and it will help to reduce indoor humidity.
- Minimize dust. Minimizing dust is a top priority for those that suffer from asthma. Mattresses, pillows, and box springs should be used with dust proof covers. If there is carpeting in the house, it should be removed for linoleum or hardwood flooring as it is easier to keep clean.
- Minimize pet dander. If a person is going to have pets, they should opt for pets that do not have fur or feathers. If you must have your pets, make sure that they are groomed well to help reduce the amount of pet dander in your home.
Doing all of the above can minimize asthma sufferers' symptoms and the need for emergency treatment.