Asthma can be affected by a number of behaviors, foods and irritants in the air and surrounding environment. Each of these things may trigger the respiratory passages to become inflamed and narrow, making breathing difficult. Although specific triggers for asthma problems will vary from person to person, there are some things that particularly common. Recognizing the things that affect your asthma can help you and your doctor develop an appropriate treatment plan.
Allergies
Exposure to common allergens can exacerbate asthma symptoms. Allergens are things that cause an immune response, or allergic reaction, in the body, producing symptoms like sneezing, itchy eyes, a rash, and breathing symptoms such as wheezing and shortness of breath. Common allergens include house dust and dust mites, animal dander, pollen, mold, and insect droppings. Certain foods (those containing additives like sulfites, for example) may also affect the sinuses which can aggravate asthma symptoms.
Irritants
Irritants are things that aggravate the airways but do not necessarily cause an allergic-type reaction. Tobacco smoke is a common irritant that can cause problems not only for the person who smokes, but for those who inhale "secondhand" smoke. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, "secondhand smoking" may cause up to 26,000 new cases of asthma each year.
Other pollutants in the air that can potentially aggravate asthma symptoms include paint and gasoline fumes, aerosol sprays, scented perfumes and cosmetics, and cleaning products. High levels of environmental air pollutants such as ozone can affect air quality and inflame the sensitive tissue lining the bronchial tubes, creating breathing problems.
Physical Activity
Physical activity (particularly physical activity in cold air) can affect asthma. Some people suffer from a specific kind of asthma called exercise-induced asthma that is triggered by physical exertion. After several minutes of any physical activity, including exercise, laughing, yelling, crying or holding your breath, you may be more likely to experience breathing problems.
Health Conditions and Medications
Certain mental and physical health conditions may make asthma worse. Respiratory infections, colds, flu, sore throat, bacterial and viral infections, sinus infections, acid reflux (with or without heartburn) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) may cause asthma symptoms to become more severe. Emotional anxiety and other strong emotions like fear, anger or excitement can also trigger asthma-related breathing problems.
Certain medications like aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, and beta-blockers used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure), migraines, heart disease and glaucoma are also known to affect asthma conditions.
Weather
Certain types of weather or weather changes may affect asthma in some people. Cold air or dry air and wind commonly irritate the bronchial airways of those with asthma and can make symptoms worse. Extreme heat and humidity, or very sudden changes in the weather may also trigger asthma problems.
