Around 23.4 million people, or 16.7 percent of the U.S. population, suffer from asthma, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This long-term disease is characterized by breathlessness, coughing in the morning or at night and regular bouts of wheezing. Because asthma can only be controlled, not cured, knowing the triggers that cause asthma attacks can help you manage the disease effectively.
Allergic and Non-Allergic Asthma
Allergic asthma, as the name suggests, is caused by substance allergies. If you are allergic to substances like dust, pollens, mites, cockroaches, pets, mold and cigarette smoke, staying away from places these allergens are present is necessary. Coming into contact with any of these allergens can trigger severe asthma attack.
Non-allergic asthma is caused by factors that have no relation with allergies. Its triggers include stress, anxiety, exercise, bad weather and strong emotional states. Avoiding such conditions or situations that increase the presence of these triggers is essential to controlling this type of asthma.
Adult Onset Asthma
People who are older than 20 years when first diagnosed with asthma are referred to as adult onset asthma patients. Although the asthma sets in during childhood, it develops fully only when adults are consistently exposed to allergic or non-allergic asthma-causing factors, like a workplace environment. Women are more susceptible to adult onset asthma and may develop it during pregnancy or menopause. According to a Harvard nurses' health study, women who continue consumption of estrogen supplements for more than 10 years after menopause have a greater risk of developing adult onset asthma in comparison to those who did not take estrogen supplements.
Cough Variant Asthma
If you are suffering from cough variant asthma, you will have a dry cough that lasts for six to eight weeks at a time. Pollens or cold air can trigger this asthma type. Since coughing is the only symptom, this asthma is difficult to diagnose.
Exercise Induced Asthma
Exercise or physical exertion triggers exercise-induced asthma. The common conditions associated with this asthma are wheezing, fatigue and difficulty breathing. People affected by this asthma are more sensitive to temperature and humidity changes than other people. Inhalers or bronchodilators may be prescribed to manage this disease. There is no reason to discontinue exercising if you are suffering from this type of asthma, unless recommended by a doctor.
