No one has still really figured out what causes asthma. It is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways. The causes of asthma symptoms can vary from person to person. Though, one thing is common that is when airways come in contact with an asthma trigger, the airways become inflamed, narrow and fills with mucus.
When a person suffers from an asthma attack, spasms of the muscles around the airways, inflammation and swelling of the mucosal membrane lining the airways, the excessive amounts of mucus contribute to airway narrowing. Making breathing more difficult, causing shortness of breath, cough, and wheezing. You may have cough with asthma because the inflammation inside the airway causes irritation and the body’s attempt to clean out the accumulations of the mucus.
It is really important to know asthma triggers. Once you identify and reduce exposure to that specific trigger of cause of asthma, it helps to control and reduce the frequency of asthma attacks. Being aware of environmental, food, and inhaled allergens and avoiding them can surely help in asthma prevention by reducing the frequency and severity of asthma attacks.
Here are a few common asthma triggers:
- Many people with asthma have allergies that trigger asthma. Allergens like house dust mites, animal dander, molds, pollen and cockroach droppings.
- Even tobacco smoke is an irritant that often gives an asthma attack. Asthma can also be triggered by air pollution, strong odor or perfumes.
- Some people also acquire asthma while exercising. This is called exercise-induced bronchoconstriction.
- Many medicines can cause or even worsen asthma symptoms. It includes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs which are used to treat heart disease, high blood pressure, migraine headaches or glaucoma.
- Emotional anxiety and stress can also trigger an asthma attack.
- Viral and bacterial infectionssuch as the common cold and sinusitis.
- Exposureto cold, dry air or weather changes.
- Acid reflux, with or without heartburn.
