What are the common triggers of Asthma?
Asthma is one of the most common medical conditions. Across the world, an estimated 300 million people are living with asthma.
It is very common in childhood with around 1 in 7 children suffering from it. Many people have chronic asthma throughout their lives with chronic cough, wheeze and shortness of breath.
Acute episodes can be milder, moderate or severe. A mild episode can very quickly change to become severe or life threatening and the risk of life threatening asthma in a casualty who has previously been admitted to hospital with an severe episode is significant.
Acute asthma attacks are commonly caused by two types of trigger factors; they can be allergenic or non-allergenic. Sometimes, there is no identifiable trigger.
Allergenic asthma triggers
- Pollens
- Spores and moulds
- House dust mites
- Animal fur or wool
- Chemicals such as glues and solvent pens
- Food (especially food ‘dust’)
Non allergenic asthma triggers
- Exercise
- Colds and other viral infections
- Temperature (changes in temperature can cause significant attacks)
- Cold air
- Cigarette smoke
- Stress
