Asthma Attack
Asthma is a life long disease and those who suffer from it find it a hell like experience. Little is known on the standard cure or established cures to get rid of asthma permanently. Hence the only thing that you can do is to safeguard yourself. This you can do by identifying the triggers that cause an asthma attack. Given below in groups are the triggers to help you better protect yourself.
Based on how they occur, asthma attack triggers can be divided into the following groups:
1) Natural
2) Artificial
3) Medical
4) Physical
5) Mental
1) Natural asthma attack triggers
Most natural triggers are allergens. These are – pollen grains, dust, mold, insects and their droppings, animal secretions like animal dander, feces, oils, urine etc. Even hot / cold air, high humidity also can trigger asthma. Allergic reactions from certain species of flora and fauna can also start off asthma and related problems.
2) Artificial asthma attack triggers
Artificial factors that trigger asthma are mostly pollutants. But there are other factors too. Smoke, smog, vehicle exhaust, kerosene stove fumes, chemical fumes, gases (most notably Nitrogen Dioxide), odors, food additives and preservatives (sulfites), perfumes, cooking vapor, paint fumes, beverages, etc. are some of the triggers. Other artificial triggers that can cause asthma are ozone, coal and coal dust, household cleaners, varnishes, talcum powder, sprays (room fresheners), chalk powder, tobacco smoke from cigarettes etc.
Asthma Attack
3) Medical asthma attack triggers
Certain medical conditions and the medications needed to treat or control them can trigger an asthma attack. Medical problems that trigger asthma are sinusitis, infections in the lung, nose and throat, rhinitis etc. Medicines that trigger asthma are aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like indomethacin, ibuprofen, and naprosen. Other drugs that contain ketoprophen, acetaminophen, naproxen sodium also induce asthma. Gastro diseases like Gastroesophageal Reflux (GERD) and improper digestion of food can also induce asthma.
4) Physical asthma attack triggers
Any strenuous physical activity that exhausts the body can act as a trigger for asthma attack in asthma patients. Highly strenuous exercises like long distance running, cycling, wrestling, boxing, weight lifting and even strong swimming can act as triggers. If you exercise in cold dry air condition then you can suffer an attack of asthma. If laborious work is unavoidable then you should take breaks in between and breathe deeply to replenish the depleting levels of oxygen in your body. If you work in a dusty environment, you must wear a mask to cover both your nose and mouth, otherwise besides getting tired; you will open yourself to upper respiratory tract infection which can result in asthma.
5) Mental asthma attack triggers
Strong emotional reactions, stress and anxiety can all lead to asthma. A strong surge of emotions can choke the person. It often leaves him gasping for breath. If the person is weak or has weakness in the upper respiratory tract, then he can suffer an asthma attack. Similar symptoms can be noticed when the person suffers from a high level of stress and anxiety. They can have a similar choking effect and cause breathing difficulty in the person.
These are the many types of triggers that lead to asthma. A controlled lifestyle with simple precautions can do a lot in preventing asthma.