Triggers of Asthma

There are two factors that provoke asthma: (a) triggers which result in tightening of the airways (called broncho-constriction) and (b) causes or inducers that result in inflammation of the airways.

TRIGGERS: Any substance that irritates your respiratory passages and causes asthma is called a trigger. There are different types of triggers, some of which cause allergy while others cause irritation. Triggers do not cause inflammation. They last for a short duration and are rapidly reversible. Triggers act faster if there is inflammation in the airways.

Listed below are some of the common asthma triggers:

• Smoke: cigarette smoke or smoke from pipes, cigars, etc
• Perfumes
• Weather : Cold temperature, extreme changes in atmospheric pressure, windy days, pollution and pollen in the air, etc
• Respiratory infections: viral infections ¬especially of the upper respiratory tract, bacterial infections

• Household chemicals: Fires in which wood or coal is burnt, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide from natural gas, liquid propane, fluorocarbons in hair sprays, insecticides, deodorants, room fresheners, etc
• Chemicals used in household environment: formaldehyde in particle board, carpet backing, plywood, glue, etc
• Work related chemicals: fluorocarbon propellant grain dust, sulphur gas, wood dust, metal oxides, etc.
• Hormones: Oestrogen and oestrogen replacements.
• exercise, continued exercise for more than ten minutes
• Heartburn
• Night-time