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6 surprising asthma triggers

Is this the reason you're wheezing?

Updated on September 5, 2024

someone with asthma using inhaler in office
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Hidden Triggers to Avoid

If you have asthma, you may be familiar with triggers that can lead to an asthma attack. Exercising, cigarette smoke, and dust may all pop into mind. But there are other less commonly known causes of asthma attacks.

If you’re not sure why your asthma has been acting up, check this list of surprising triggers to see if one of them may be affecting you. By gettingShow More

cleaning kitchen
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Cockroaches

Some people are allergic to a protein found in cockroaches and their waste. This can worsen asthma symptoms year-round, even when the insects are dead.

Solution: Make your home s iunwelcome to roaches. These bugs are looking for water, food, and a place to nest, so tidy up. Tightly close trash andShow More

pain medication
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Painkillers and antacids

Taking aspirin may help relieve your sore back, but it could hurt your breathing. A fair amount of people with asthma have a sensitivity to aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen that can lead to severe attacks. Your healthcare provider (HCP) may ask you toShow More

traffic pollution
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Air pollution

Air pollution is a common trigger for asthma. It can make your symptoms worse, and in most situations, it can be unavoidable. Big, bustling cities have more smog—made of very small particles and ozone. Driving with your windows down could fill your lungs with more of these irritants that can worsenShow More

stressed woman at work
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Stress

Feeling overwhelmed can send you on the straight path toward an asthma attack. It may not matter what you're feeling anxious about. Even lower levels of stress can lead to an asthma exacerbation, shortness of breath, and the need for your rescue inhaler.

Solution: Stress is a natural partShow More

cold, winter, scarf
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Weather

Cold, dry air can irritate your airways, and it can sometimes prompt an asthma attack. Thunderstorms can also trigger asthma attacks if they happen at the same time as a period of high humidity and pollen. In fact, almost any weather extreme, even high heat, can worsen asthma symptoms.

Show More

wine glasses on table
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Food with sulfites

Sulfites are chemical compounds that can occur naturally in some foods but are mostly used as additives to keep processed foods fresh. They're sometimes a problem for people with asthma because they can irritate the lungs, triggering wheezing and coughing.

Solution: Avoid fermented products, likeShow More

cleaning products
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Environmental chemicals

Potential asthma triggers may hide in many products you use at home and the materials you encounter at work. These include volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can emanate from new furniture, cabinets, rugs, and floors, and from products like solvents, paints, pesticides (including mothballs),Show More

Slideshow sources open slideshow sources

United States Environmental Protection Agency. Asthma Triggers: Gain Control. Page last updated April 3, 2024.
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. Asthma Triggers and Management. Page last reviewed November 7, 2023.
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Asthma Triggers: Air Pollution. Page accessed September 5, 2024.
Cleveland Clinic. Stress & Asthma. Page last reviewed January 7, 2021.
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Asthma Triggers: Weather. Page last updated April 2024.
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Cold Weather Advisory: People with Asthma Should Take Precautions to Prevent Symptoms. Page accessed September 5, 2024.
Cleveland Clinic. Sulfite Sensitivity. Page last reviewed April 24, 2024.
Mattila T, Santonen T, Andersen HR, et al. Scoping Review-The Association between Asthma and Environmental Chemicals. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Feb 1;18(3):1323. 
Paterson C, Sharpe R, Taylor T, et al. Indoor PM2.5, VOCs and asthma outcomes: A systematic review in adults and their home environments. Environmental Research. 2021;202:111631.
United States Environmental Protection Agency. Volatile Organic Compounds' Impact on Indoor Air Quality. Page last updated August 15, 2023.

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