Asthma Triggers

Asthma is a serious lung disease. When an asthma attack occurs, the breathing tubes constrict, making it difficult for the person to breathe. When asthma is not well controlled, it can cause many problems. One of the most effective ways to prevent an asthma attack is to identify your triggers and avoid them.

For people with asthma, allergens and irritants can inflame already sensitive areas in the lungs. This can lead to spasms of the bronchial tubes causing an asthma attack.

As you can see from the lists above, triggers can be everywhere. The key to effectively managing asthma is to recognize your triggers and to take steps to avoid them. Take note of your surroundings at the time of a reaction and record them in a journal or simply write them down. Most likely this information will help reveal a pattern to the asthma episodes. Once you identify what triggers your asthma, you and your doctor can develop a plan to avoid these things. Although it may be impossible to eliminate all allergens and irritants from your home, you can minimize their number. Another source of information, as you purchase products is to look for products that are certified as “asthma friendly.”

Products that carry this certification have been scientifically tested and are suitable for people with asthma and allergies. It is present on air cleaners, bedding, cleaning products, floor coverings, stuffed toys, vacuum cleaners and washing machines. For more information on the web, go to asthmaandallergyfriendly.com.