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If you’ve ever had an asthma attack, you know how scary it can be when your chest tightens, making it difficult to take breaths between coughing. These are just some of the symptoms that characterize an asthma attack. Asthma attacks can be triggered by many things, making it all the more frightening when you suddenly can’t breathe.
Understanding what triggers your asthma is the first step toward preventing an asthma attack. We’ll explain what you need to know about common asthma attack triggers, so you can do your best to prevent symptoms from interrupting your everyday life.
How do you know if you are having an asthma attack?
An asthma attack happens when the body is exposed to a trigger—like pollen or smoke—that causes the airways to become inflamed and swollen.
Asthma attacks are uncomfortable to experience and can be frightening, especially for children. If you or someone you know is having any of the following symptoms, they may be having an asthma attack:
- Difficulty breathing
- Chest tightness or pain
- Coughing or wheezing
An asthma attack may go away after a few minutes with proper treatment, but symptoms can last longer and become life-threatening if untreated. Seek medical attention immediately if you or someone you know is having a severe asthma attack with one or more of the following symptoms:
- A feeling of panic about the asthma attack
- Pale and sweaty face
- Trouble talking or moving
- Lips or fingernails that are turning blue
- No improvement in symptoms after using an inhaler
6 common asthma attack triggers
An asthma trigger is an irritant that causes the airways to become inflamed and constrict. Constriction of airways marks the start of an asthma attack and can cause other symptoms like wheezing.
There isn’t one single trigger of asthma. What triggers an asthma attack for one person might not be the same for another. You’ll know what causes an asthma attack for you if you’re exposed to an irritant and have shortness of breath or start wheezing. The most common triggers are:
- Allergies
- Irritants in the air
- Exercise
- Weather conditions
- Stress
- Viral and bacterial infections
- Medications such as beta-blockers
1. Allergies
Allergens (such as pollen, dust mites, and animal dander) trigger asthma symptoms for many people. Food allergies (like shellfish, tree nuts, and wheat) can also cause allergic asthma attacks. Some food additives, such as sulfites, can trigger symptoms of asthma, too.
2. Irritants in the air
Tobacco smoke, woodfire, wildfire, and secondhand smoke can easily trigger an asthma attack because of how irritating they are to airways. Air pollution, chemical fumes, strong odors, and perfumes are also examples of irritants that frequently cause asthma attacks.
3. Exercise
Exercise-induced asthma attacks are very common and are more likely to happen in cold weather. Strenuous exercise can cause airway inflammation and constriction, making it difficult to breathe.
4. Weather conditions
Asthma is an evergreen condition, but some weather changes can make it worse. Cold weather can cause asthma flare-ups. Dry, cold air irritates airways and can cause them to swell. When the body is cold, it also produces histamines, which can worsen wheezing and coughing. Furthermore, the warmer seasons of spring and summer are accompanied by many more pollutants than cooler months. Additionally, thunderstorms can worsen asthma as humidity rises and pollen is spread and broken up into smaller particles.
5. Stress
Stress is one of the most common asthma triggers because it affects so many people. Strong emotions can create physical distress and cause hyperventilation. Hyperventilating can lead to an asthma attack and add further stress to the body.
6. Viral and bacterial infections
The common cold, flu, sinus infections (sinusitis), or respiratory infections affect the immune system and can cause asthma attacks.
How to stop an asthma attack
Stopping an asthma attack is easier if you know what to do once one starts. In some cases, it may not be possible to stop an asthma attack entirely without an inhaler. However, there are certain steps you can take to lessen the duration and intensity of an asthma attack. These include:
- Use your inhaler
- Remove yourself from the trigger
- Sit up straight
- Stay calm
Use your inhaler
Inhalers are prescribed by doctors to help open airways during an asthma attack, and they can help stop an asthma cough. Inhalers can stop an asthma attack if used correctly.
If your child has asthma, you or their healthcare provider should teach them how to use an inhaler. Additionally, you should know how to administer an inhaler to them and provide your child’s school with a plan in the case of an asthma attack.
Remove yourself from the trigger
It sounds simple, but sometimes the best thing you can do is remove yourself from the trigger that’s causing your asthma attack. For example, move inside if an outdoor allergy is triggering you. Or, taking a shower can be helpful if you’re exposed to perfume.
Sit up straight
Sitting up straight while having an asthma attack can help it go away. In an upright seated position, the airways open more, making it easier to breathe.
Stay calm
Asthma attacks are scary, but remaining calm will keep symptoms from worsening. Relax and focus on your breathing to help your asthma attack subside.
Some people experience asthma attacks at night. It’s helpful to have already eliminated potential triggers, like pet dander and dust, to stop an asthma attack at night. Keep animals out of the room at night and run an air purifier to improve air quality can make a big difference.
If you’re with someone who’s having an asthma attack, sit them upright and assist them in accessing their inhaler. You should call 911 immediately if their symptoms worsen.
How to prevent an asthma attack
Preventing an asthma attack is easier to do if you know what triggers your asthma.
“Avoidance of the triggers can help prevent an asthma attack in many cases,” says David Stempel, MD, Senior VP of Clinical and Medical Affairs at Propeller Health. “Asthma attacks can be further mitigated by taking preventative medications such as inhaled corticosteroids and in some cases using a short-acting bronchodilator, like albuterol, 15 minutes prior to exposure to a trigger like exercise.”
Asthma medication
Examples of preventative and quick-relief medications include:
However, it’s important to call out that some medications can trigger asthma symptoms rather than treat them. These include some blood pressure medications (beta blockers, ACE inhibitors) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen. Before taking a new medication—be it prescription or over-the-counter medicine—make sure your doctor or pharmacist know that you have asthma. Asthma is an underlying condition that could affect your treatment options for other ailments, illnesses, or conditions.
Lifestyle changes
Avoiding asthma triggers and taking preventive medications are just some of the precautions that people with asthma should take. Lifestyle changes, like diet and exercise, can also help prevent asthma attacks. Eating lots of fruits, vegetables, and anti-inflammatory foods can reduce the potential for dietary triggers and can help the body process environmental toxins that make asthma worse. Even coffee has been used for asthma because the caffeine helps open up the airways.
Some people even try to prevent asthma attacks naturally by running humidifiers and air purifiers in their home, or by practicing meditation to help lower inflammation in the body.
Speak to an allergist
Controlling your asthma without an inhaler may not be entirely possible, but avoiding triggers and maintaining a healthy lifestyle may reduce how much you use an inhaler. Speak with an allergist to learn more about how to prevent asthma attacks or better control your asthma.
