Asthma Triggers – What can you do about them?

‘Trigger’ is the word we use to describe something that can set off your asthma symptoms or make them worse. Exposure to asthma triggers can happen anytime and anywhere. People with asthma symptoms react to different triggers, and this can change over time.

Asthma triggers could be something that you –

• breathe in (e.g. smoke, cool air)
• catch (e.g. cold, flu)
• feel (e.g. emotions, stress)
• do (e.g. exercise)
• eat, drink or take (e.g. medicines)

Asthma Symptoms

People with this breathing problem have a range of common asthma symptoms:

• Breathlessness
• Wheezing
• Tight chest
• Persistent cough

Asthma symptoms often occur at night, early in the morning or during or after activity.

Many people with asthma also get hay fever when they come into contact with triggers. Asthma symptoms of hay fever include a runny or blocked nose, itchy eyes and sneezing.

Asthma Triggers and Symptoms

Exposure to triggers can happen anytime and anywhere. People react to different triggers, and this can change over time.

It is useful to know what triggers your asthma symptoms so you can avoid them or respond by using your reliever medicine. Some triggers can be easy to identify, for example, someone near you smoking cigarettes. There will be a clear link between the trigger and your asthma symptoms getting worse. Sometimes your asthma will get worse, and you may not be able to work out why.

What to do if you have several asthma triggers?

If you find that several different triggers make your asthma symptoms worse, it usually means that you are not getting enough preventer medicine, and that there is extra inflammation in your airways.

You should ask your doctor for better asthma treatment and medicines. Because when you are taking your right medicines, you will have less symptoms and less reaction to triggers. Homeopathy asthma treatment corrects such disorders very well. Homeopaths use a holistic approach that includes understanding the emotional and physical concerns of patient like anxiety and fear, the loss of a loved one, etc. Conditions like change of weather, allergy to pollens and dust, etc., are also considered before suggesting an appropriate remedy. Natural medicines are given to help reduce spasms of the respiratory tract and build overall body immunity. Homeopathic medicines also improve breathing capacity which can be measured by peak flow meter.

It has been observed that homeopathic asthma treatment have reduced the need for hospitalisation, and in the case of children, there has been improved attendance at school and an improved level of concentration as well as academic performance.

Besides taking correct asthma treatment, there are some key things people with asthma can do to live well with asthma.

Here, by saying ‘living well with asthma’, we mean having less symptoms and being able to do the things you enjoy –

• Follow your doctor’s advice. Don’t stop taking daily medication because you feel better. Monitor your health daily
• If you smoke, quit smoking. Tobacco smoke is one of the most common triggers of asthma
• Keep the house as dust-free as possible. Dust is a common asthma trigger
• If you can, remove carpets and heavy draperies. They’re dust-catchers that easily breed dust mites, another trigger for asthma
• Vacuum-clean your mattress twice a week. Mattresses and pillows can harbour dust and mites
• Cover your mouth and nose with a scarf in cold weather, which is yet another common asthma trigger
• Mould is another common allergen that triggers asthma. Keep moulds in check. Dry wet laundry immediately; wash and disinfect bathrooms and showers regularly
• Pet dander can trigger asthma symptoms; minimise your exposure to dander
• Artificially flavoured and coloured foods and drinks are one of the most common triggers of childhood asthma. Avoid their intake.