Asthma Triggers: Causes Of Asthma Attacks
The World Health Organization estimates that about 235 million people worldwide have Asthma. So you are NOT alone if you are dealing with this yourself. Why have I decided to write about this? My mom has Asthma; my sister has Asthma, so does my brother in law and my nephew. My nephew has been hospitalized multiple times for his Asthma. When he was younger, his symptoms were much much worse. He is 8 years old, and his Asthma is very well controlled now. Fewer episodes, quicker resolution of symptoms, and I think this is because of many factors. First off, my sister is phenomenal. She was always on top of his medications, the timing, the amount. She tracked how often he had episodes, how severe, how often she had to give him his meds. All of this information is crucial for doctors (in this case, his pediatrician). See More at Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). All these things determine the severity of the symptoms and which medications need to be added, changed, or removed. This is why paying attention to all these things is very important. Another factor, my nephew was taken to an allergy specialist and was tested for possible allergens. Why was this an important step? Allergies can frequently trigger an episode of Asthma. But I will get into those ‘triggers’ in a minute. Having so many family members with Asthma, I consider myself extremely lucky not to have it, although there have been times when I have felt my chest close up when I am exercising hard in cold weather. Another trigger? Hmm, let’s get into it after I discuss Asthma and its symptoms. What does an asthma attack or episode look like? https://youtu.be/-A6aRqi7g_4 Difficulty breathing and WHEEZING! It can be accompanied by chest tightness and some pain due to lung inflammation. An essential feature of Asthma, especially in children, is a cough present at night when they are asleep. The cough will wake them up. This is an important piece of info for parents to keep an eye out for, especially if they have Asthma. What Causes Asthma? No one knows the exact cause. There is a genetic component. If parents or sisters have Asthma, the child is more likely to have it. If the child has any other allergic conditions like atopic dermatitis (eczema) or allergic rhinitis (hay fever), they are also higher risk. Some environmental factors can increase a person’s risk of having Asthma. Exposure to cigarette smoke as a baby or child is a huge risk factor for developing Asthma. Being a smoker or being overweight can also increase your risk of having Asthma. What about triggers? What will trigger an attack or episode? This is the most essential part of this article. Why? Many people with Asthma already know they have it, and they take medication. However, not everyone will know what caused or triggered the event. I will list a few things here that can trigger asthma symptoms. Some are obvious, but others are not that obvious and maybe not very well known. Allergies Dust, carpets, mold, pets (not their fur.. their skin… flaky skin known as pet dander will cause the allergic reaction and induce Asthma), dust mites, and cockroaches too Pollen, grass, and flowers Tobacco smoke Any kind of irritant at work Pollution Viral infection, or the flu There are a lot! It’s nearly impossible to avoid them all! BUT it is crucial to notice which ones triggered you or your family members so you can begin to predict an episode. There are other triggers too. Cold air Extreme emotions (anxiety, panic attacks, anger, laughter) Exercise! What if you only get symptoms during the week and never have them during the weekends? Consider Occupational Asthma This is Asthma associated with work. There is something in your work environment that is triggering your Asthma, and its something to look into. What if you’re exercising and suddenly feel chest tightness, cough, and wheezing? Could be Exercise-Induced Asthma It can be treated and prevented! Which is why I am mentioning it here. It doesn’t mean work out less, or less intense or avoid exercise at all. It means see your doc and get your medication and instruction on how and when to take them so you can still get that run in. Overall Asthma is a chronic condition. Usually starts in childhood, maybe even teenage years. In the USA alone about 25 million people have asthma, and of those, 7 million are children. Boys have it more than girls but once they’re adults equal men and women have. Some may have severe asthma that needs daily medications regardless of whether or not they have an episode. Others have minimal symptoms and only use the inhaler when needed. Symptoms can get better as the years go by, and even disappear. They can also get worse. They can also come back as people get older even after the person had been asthma free for years. Asthma has become a public health issue in both developed and developing countries. According to the WHO, 80% of fatalities due to Asthma are occurring in developing countries. If this wasn’t a reason to write about this, then let’s get a little more personal. My mom has Asthma. This is a bit of a side note, but if you follow me on IG, you would have seen that a while back, I got a French bulldog, her name was Sammy. She was all cream. And then she disappeared from my stories and was never spoken about again. Why? A few months ago, my family and I had just returned from Cartagena. The humidity and mold of the old buildings started taking a toll on my mom’s lungs. Then, she got a viral infection. When we got back, my mom had already been exposed to two triggers: mold (she’s allergic to it) and viral infection. When we bought the dog, she became the third trigger. It sent my mom into a full-blown asthma attack. She
