Triggers

For most people with asthma, there are certain things that bring on symptoms and make their asthma worse. These things are known as triggers. Identifying and avoiding these triggers is a key part of good asthma management.

What is a trigger?

A trigger is anything that irritates the airways and causes the symptoms of asthma to appear. Everyone’s asthma is different, and so different people will have different triggers. However, it’s not uncommon for one person to have several triggers that affect their condition. These triggers could include temperature changes, cold and flu, dust and air pollution.

As the effects of a trigger can appear slowly (sometimes over 4-6 hours more) it can be difficult to identify where the symptoms came from.

Triggers and asthma management

Limiting your exposure to your triggers can help you improve your asthma control and reduce the need for medication, even if you’re not completely sure of your personal triggers.

For example, someone with asthma might try to avoid cigarette smoke or cleaning sprays, even if they don’t know what triggers them personally.

In the case of common known triggers (viral infections, traffic fumes, etc.) it is important to take measures to avoid these things wherever possible. However, many people with asthma find they react to several factors that are commonly found in the environment such as pollen or temperature changes.

It is often impossible and very limiting for someone to try to avoid these environmental triggers entirely.

Taking your controller medication as prescribed and keeping your asthma controlled are important parts of trigger management. Many asthma patients find they’re less sensitive to triggers when their asthma is well controlled.

Often, it may not be just one trigger that brings on asthma symptoms, but a mixture of several. For this reason, your doctor may suggest you keep an asthma diary to monitor your symptoms and help you pinpoint your triggers.

Below are some common triggers. It is important to remember that this is not a complete list, and your own personal triggers may fall outside of these categories.