Blog Post

Surprising Asthma Triggers

  • By Allergic Diagnostic and Treatment Clinic
  • 24 Oct, 2018
Nearly 25 million Americans have asthma, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This lung condition can make breathing a challenge and cause coughing or wheezing. While scientists haven't found a definitive cause behind asthma, some environmental issues can prompt attacks. If you or a loved one has asthma, take a look at some of the most common asthma triggers.

Heat and Humidity

Heavy, hot air makes breathing difficult for almost everyone - especially if you have asthma. The rise in body temperature that high heat levels can cause often leads to excessive sweating. The more you sweat, the more water you lose. Dehydration can result in rapid or labored breathing, triggering an asthma attack.

Along with heat-related water loss, sudden changes in air temperature can put stress on the lungs. Moving from a chilly indoor environment (when the air conditioning is on) to a heated outdoor one can also set-off an attack.

On hot days, asthmatics should remain indoors (somewhere that is cool) as much as possible. If you have to go outside, take all required medications and keep yourself hydrated by drinking water. Avoid soda and caffeinated beverages. Caffeine acts as a diuretic, leaving you even more dehydrated than you were before drinking.

Cold Temperatures

Extreme heat isn't always to blame for temperature-related asthma attacks or increased symptoms. Cold is also a trigger for some asthmatics. The cold air can increase mucous production and leave your airways feeling dry. This can worsen symptoms, making you cough, wheeze, or have trouble catching your breath.

Along with taking all prescribed medications, avoid extreme cold, drink plenty of water to thin mucous secretions, and cover your mouth and nose with a zippered coat or a scarf during outdoor activity.

Air Quality and Pollution

Car exhaust, manufacturing byproducts, and other air contaminants can create a source of strife for many asthmatics. Decades worth of research supports the theory that human-created air pollution worsens asthma symptoms. Pollution-induced symptoms may include greater difficulty breathing, coughing, discomfort, or a burning sensation in the lungs, according to the Environmental protection Agency (EPA). This is a different type of trigger than indoor air quality issues, such as dust mites or pet dander.

The EPA notes that the two top pollutants affecting asthmatics are ozone ad particle pollution. Ozone pollution, which is found in smog, is at its worst during the heat of the summer or during any excessively hot day, regardless of the season. Particle pollution is typically highest during calm weather, near busy roads, near factories and in places that are near to fires.

While completely avoiding pollution isn't always possible, the asthmatic can reduce the amount of time they spend outdoors during peak ozone or particle pollution hours and weather. You should also keep your windows closed when driving in traffic or near factories that emit smoke or other airborne discharge.

Stress and Emotions

Not all asthma triggers come from outside of your body. Stress and powerful emotions are internal factors that may set-off an attack. Increased anxiety, panic, and other strong feelings can result in shortness of breath, worsening your symptoms.

Unlike hot days or air pollution, you can't always stay away from stress. If your stress level is causing your medical condition to get progressively worse or you're having more asthma attacks, a therapist can help to reduce the effects of the emotional or psychological issues. In some serious cases, anxiety may require a combination of medication and therapy.

You can also reduce the likelihood of developing stress-related asthma attacks by practicing meditation or by learning relaxation exercises. Some types of physical activity, such as yoga, can also reduce psychological stressors. Always consult your doctor before starting a new exercise or activity routine.

Do you have asthma or think that you have asthma? Contact Allergic Diagnostic & Treatment Clinic for more information.
By Allergic Diagnostic and Treatment Clinic 24 Oct, 2018
Many people live with food allergies. Food allergies result in the body treating normal, otherwise harmless ingredients as invaders they must fight. While most people think of seasonal allergies when they think about allergies, food allergies can result in serious, life-affecting conditions.

The results of food allergies can be devastating, even fatal. Anaphylaxis requires quick treatment and know-how from others in the workplace. For this reason, education about allergies is crucial.

If you have food allergies and are trying to navigate these types of problems in the workplace, then you may need some suggestions. This guide will help you create a plan of action for contending with food allergies at work.
By Allergic Diagnostic and Treatment Clinic 24 Oct, 2018
When you have a family member with severe allergies, you want to do everything that you can to help keep them as healthy and happy as possible. The problem is that when a person is just as allergic to things inside the home as outside the home, it can be difficult to know what to do to help them manage their allergies.

Get to know some of the important facts about managing indoor allergies. Then, you can be sure that you are doing everything you can for your loved one with indoor allergies.
By Allergic Diagnostic and Treatment Clinic 24 Oct, 2018
If you care for a senior loved one, you know that paying close attention to their health can feel like a full-time job. You may begin to notice all the subtle details that come with growing older, including changes to health.

Worsening allergies are one factor associated with aging. In turn, allergies can impact immune system functioning and other chronic health issues. Knowing this, it makes sense that you want to nip allergies in the bud - preventing them from having long-term effects.

If you are worried about allergies and how they affect your loved one, read this guide. You will learn more about how to address allergies before they become a significant problem.
By Allergic Diagnostic and Treatment Clinic 24 Oct, 2018

As many as 40 percent of children in the United States are allergic to something. While most allergies are mild, some can be severe and may prove to be life-threatening. Typically, children develop allergies within their first two years of life. What you do during those vital first few months plays a huge role in allergy development.

Exposing your children to certain substances may even help your child avoid allergic reactions later in life. Following are five ways you can keep your child from developing allergies.

By Allergic Diagnostic and Treatment Clinic 24 Oct, 2018
In the United States alone, about 50 million people have some type of nasal allergy. For a lot of years, the primary form of allergy treatment was through oral medications that counteracted the allergic reactions to certain triggers. However, immunotherapy in the form of allergy shots is now a highly efficient way to treat allergies in adults and children.
By Allergic Diagnostic and Treatment Clinic 24 Oct, 2018
If you plan to move an older loved one into your home, you may worry about keeping their health safe, especially if a doctor recently diagnosed your relative with adult onset asthma. Adult onset asthma (late onset asthma) generally occurs after 50 years of age.
By Allergic Diagnostic and Treatment Clinic 24 Oct, 2018
Pollen allergies can be particularly difficult to deal with since plants--and the pollen they release--are almost everywhere. If you suffer from a pollen allergy, it's important to work with your allergist to find the medications that work best to keep your symptoms under control. However, you also want to do all that you can to reduce your exposure to pollen. Here are some steps to help you accomplish that goal.
By Allergic Diagnostic and Treatment Clinic 24 Oct, 2018
Seasonal and environmental allergies are common, but many individuals develop allergies to common foods and ingredients. While shocking to learn, an estimated 5.9 million children in America have a food allergy. If your child consumes foods they’re allergic to, they could experience digestive issues and skin rashes or anaphylaxis, which is a more dangerous reaction that causes airway constriction and your child's blood pressure to drop.
By Allergic Diagnostic and Treatment Clinic 24 Oct, 2018
Asthma can be caused by a wide variety of things. One thing that can cause asthma is exercise and participating in physical activities. Here are some signs to look for that indicate you have sports induced asthma.
By Allergic Diagnostic and Treatment Clinic 24 Oct, 2018
A common misconception about allergens is that they start from birth. Yet allergies can develop over time, well into adulthood. Food allergies  are especially susceptible to sudden development. Contact can be as severe as ingesting it or even being in a vicinity of the allergen. Symptoms of allergies can include rashes, welts, itching, burning, sudden swelling or constriction of the throat and air passages. In some cases, allergic reactions can cause hospitalization or even death.
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