Do these things make it difficult for you to have asthma? Let's learn about Asthma Triggers!

Do you have asthma? Then you probably know that sometimes you suddenly have difficulty breathing, feel like your chest is constricted, and start coughing. There are some things that can make your asthma worse. We call these 'things that make asthma worse' or ``Asthma Triggers'' in English. These are like ''bad friends'' to our asthma. So today, let's talk about what these ``Asthma Triggers'' are and how we can be careful of them.

What are asthma triggers?

Simply put, this is anything that makes your asthma worse, that is, increases your asthma symptoms – coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, etc. Imagine, your friend gets wheezing after touching a cat. Then he calls cat fur an ‘Asthma Trigger’. Some people only have one or two of these ‘triggers’. But some people may have ten or twelve. Also, not everyone has the same ‘triggers’, they vary from person to person. Some ‘triggers’ change from season to season. For example, pollen in the spring. Another thing is that as some young people get older, they may not respond as much to things that used to ‘trigger’ them, i.e. make them more asthmatic. Isn’t that a good thing? Here are some things that can generally make asthma worse:

• Respiratory tract infections: Colds , flu , COVID-19 .
• Allergens : These are things that cause allergies . Examples include animal dander, skin flakes, saliva, pollen , dust mites, and mold.
• Irritants in the air: perfumes, smoke ( cigarette smoke , wood smoke), air pollution, harsh chemicals .
• Weather conditions: extreme cold, extreme heat, extreme humidity or dryness.
• Exercise: Some people can also have their asthma worsened by exercise. We'll talk about that later.
• Strong emotions: excessive sadness, happiness, fear, or stress.

How to avoid infections?

It's hard to stay completely safe from illnesses like the common cold, the flu, and COVID-19, isn't it? We all get sick from time to time. But the best way to protect yourself from these illnesses is to wash your hands with soap and water regularly and stay away from people who are sick . Remember, your hands are the easiest place to spread germs. So make it a habit to wash your hands often. Doctors recommend that everyone over the age of 6 months get the annual flu vaccine and the updated COVID-19 vaccine. This is especially important for people with asthma . This is because if someone with asthma gets a respiratory infection like this, it can lead to serious complications, such as pneumonia. If you feel like you're getting a cold or the flu, or if you have a cough, don't panic and ask your doctor right away what to do.

How do you deal with allergens?

Allergens are simply things that can cause allergies. For example, cat dander, dog dander, dust mites (these are tiny creatures that live in dust that you can't see), mold, pollen, and cockroaches. These allergens are the main causes of asthma. For some people, these things cause itchy skin, red eyes, sneezing, and wheezing. If you think you have an allergy, meaning that you feel like your asthma is getting worse when you go near or eat certain things, it is very important to have your parents or a doctor do an allergy test. Then you can find out exactly what you are allergic to. Avoiding these allergens completely may not be possible. But, here are a few tips you can try:

Tips to avoid allergens

• Keep your room as clean and dust-free as possible. This means vacuuming at least once a week (especially in areas where dust tends to accumulate, such as under the bed and on top of the closet), dusting, and removing unnecessary items from the room. Your old toys, teddy bears, old newspapers, and piles of books can all collect dust. You may need to put them in a box or put them in the attic, or get rid of them if you don't need them.
• Wash your sheets and pillowcases in hot water once a week. Try to reduce the use of feather pillows and blankets, as they can also harbor allergens. There are special allergen-proof covers that you can put on your mattress and pillows, and using them will also help protect you from dust mites.
• If possible, remove carpets and heavy window coverings from the room.Because these types of fabrics are more likely to harbor allergens. These can increase your risk of infection. Instead, use items like small, washable rugs.

Important: Your doctor can give you a lot of good advice in addition to this. If your allergies are causing your asthma to flare up, your doctor may recommend allergy medication or allergy shots. He or she will explain this to you.

How to avoid irritants in the environment?

For most people, these irritants are not a big deal. But for someone with asthma, they can cause a sudden flare-up. These are not the same as allergens, which simply 'irritate' the airways. The most common irritants we see are:

• Perfumes and body sprays
• Types of aerosol sprays (e.g. air fresheners, insecticide sprays)
• Harsh chemicals in cleaning products (like bleaching powder, toilet cleaner)
• Tobacco smoke and smoke from wood stoves, vehicle exhaust
• Vapors from things like paint or gasoline or kerosene
• Air pollution

Sometimes, even seemingly harmless things like incense sticks, scented candles, and even gum can trigger asthma in some people. If you find that something you use at home is causing your asthma, try using an unscented or non-aerosol type. If smoke is a trigger for you, you should be careful about secondhand smoke . It can be very harmful to your asthma. Ask smokers not to smoke near you, or stay away from them when they smoke. If you use a wood stove at home, the smoke from it can also be a problem. So try to stay away from such things as much as possible. If air pollution is a problem for you, having an air conditioner in your home can help. There are reports that show how the air quality is during the day (sometimes published in newspapers and on websites). Check them out and be aware of the days that might be difficult for you. On days when the air quality outside is very bad, it is best to stay at home or in a mall with an ``(air conditioner)''.

How do you control asthma with weather changes?

Think about it, when there's a strong wind... that wind can carry things like pollen and mold far into the air. That can be difficult for people with asthma. But after a rain, the amount of pollen in the air can decrease, because the rain washes it away. But, heavy rain can also cause trees to produce more pollen later. Isn't this a wonderful thing about nature? Very cold or very hot weather can also make asthma worse. So can high humidity or very dry air. Breathing in cold, dry air can make your airways constrict and make asthma worse. So, if you know that certain weather conditions make your asthma worse, pay attention to the weather forecast. If you know that weather is coming that can cause problems for you, prepare ahead of time to face it. For example, if you are going out on a cold day, you can wear a scarf to cover your mouth and nose. Your ``Asthma action plan`` (the plan your doctor has given you to control your asthma) should include what you should do in such a situation. Read it carefully and understand it.

What is exercise-induced asthma?

Many people with asthma find that their asthma symptoms flare up when they exercise, run, jump, or play. They may cough, wheeze, or feel tight in their chest. For some people, exercise is the only trigger for their asthma. We call this condition Exercise-Induced Asthma. Along with allergens and respiratory infections, exercise is a major asthma trigger. But remember, exercise is not a trigger you should avoid! In fact, exercise is very important for your health. With the help of your doctor, you can safely exercise to stay healthy. Your doctor may tell you to use your inhaler before exercising. Also, it is important to do a little `warm-up` before exercising and `cool-down` after exercising. It is very important to talk to your doctor to clearly understand what kind of exercise is right for you, how long you should do it, and what you should do before, during, and after exercising.

Do stress and emotions affect asthma?

Yes, that's true. For some people, strong emotions and reactions such as being overly sad, worried, scared, laughing too hard or screaming, and stress can also trigger asthma symptoms. For example, if you're very nervous about an exam, that stress can make your asthma worse. To manage these strong emotions, get enough sleep, exercise regularly (as directed by your doctor), and eat a healthy diet.It helps. Also, practicing breathing exercises and meditation can help you achieve mental peace. If you feel that your stress is too much, that it comes often, or that you can't handle it on your own, definitely don't be ashamed or afraid to talk to your parents, a doctor, a teacher, or an adult you trust and ask for help. Sometimes talking to someone like a therapist can also be very helpful in dealing with such problems.

The most important thing we need to remember (Take-Home Message)

In fact, no matter what your asthma triggers are, there's one important thing everyone with asthma should remember: Always keep your quick-relief inhaler (usually the blue one) with you when you have asthma symptoms. You should have this inhaler with you wherever you go, whether it's at school, at play, or on a trip. Don't forget this, okay?

Asthma is a condition that can be managed well. By knowing your triggers, being aware of them, and following your doctor's advice and medication, you can live a healthy and happy life with asthma. Don't worry, you are not alone in this journey! There are many people who can help you.

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Asthma, Asthma Triggers, Allergies, Allergens, Breathing Problems, Respiratory Infections, Sinhala Health Articles, Asthma Solutions