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Asthma Triggers & Causes

What is Asthma

Asthma Constricts the Airways of the Lungs
An Illustration of What Asthma Does to Your Lungs

What is asthma is a difficult question to answer. The general consensus is that asthma is a chronic lung disease that causes obstruction of your airways. Airways (aka. as bronchi) are the tubes that carry air in and out of your lungs, asthma causes chronic swelling and soreness to their inside walls. If you are exposed to an allergen or irritant, your airways may begin to spasm, which results in what is known as an asthma attack or asthma episode.

Typically, asthma attacks are the result of acute spasms in the muscles surrounding your bronchi, which constricts or narrows your airways. Inflammation to the inside walls of your bronchi increases which narrows your airways even further. To top it all off, cells in your bronchi can generate additional mucus, which adds to the narrowing. The result is that you may feel as though you are “starving for air.”

Asthma Symptoms

Symptoms you’d normally experience during an asthma episode can include chest tightness, coughing, wheezing and difficulty breathing. Asthma attacks can last minutes or hours. They certainly are not all the same, some are much more severe than others. In extreme cases, vital organs will not receive enough oxygen, leading to death.

There are two forms of asthma, allergic and nonallergic. They often occur together. Because asthma symptoms may resemble those of other diseases it is difficult to distinguish it from other conditions making asthma difficult to diagnose conclusively. For example, bronchitis, lower respiratory infections and emphysema share many of the same symptoms as asthma.

Allergic Asthma

Allergic asthma can be triggered by your exposure to something your body is allergic to. Some of the more common asthma provoking allergens, also called asthma triggers, include environmental pollutants, animal dander, food additives such as sulfites, mold, chemicals, drugs, dust mites, cockroaches, exhaust fumes, feathers, and tobacco smoke.

Non-Allergic Asthma

Nonallergic asthma can be triggered by temperature changes, laughing, cold air, extreme dryness or humidity, low blood sugar, anxiety, exercise, Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), adrenal disorders and stress. Cardiac asthma is a non-allergic type of asthma caused by heart failure.

Intrinsic Asthma

Intrinsic asthma, a nonallergic asthma, tends to appear during upper respiratory viral infections, is many times associated with bronchitis or sinusitis, and usually appears during adulthood. Intrinsic asthma sufferers seem particularly vulnerable to emotional stress, exercise, changes in the weather and other factors which are related to inner feelings.

The cause of Asthma is a mystery. No one knows what causes it, although a hereditary link to Asthma was discovered in late 1999.

Adults over the age of 65 and children under the age of 16, especially those living in urban areas are most likely to suffer from asthma. It is the number one cause of school absenteeism and the number one cause of hospitalization for children.

Asthma Medications and Treatments

There are several established asthma medications and treatments, as well as several new and promising treatment options on the horizon. In general, there are three groups of allergy medications:

  • quick relief asthma medications
  • long term (controller) asthma medications
  • allergy induced asthma medications

Within the three general groups above your doctor will recommend your asthma treatment based on your individual needs. For example, pills, inhalants and injections are available, each with their respective positive and negative effects. In fact, inhaled and systemic bronchodilators and corticosteroids are routinely prescribed, depending on the circumstances.

The bad news is that there is no cure for asthma. The good news is that asthma is very treatable and manageable.

The Asthma Epidemic – No End in Sight

Industrial Air Pollution
Air Pollution is a leading cause of Asthma

22.2 million Americans suffer from asthma as of 2005, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: National Center for Health Statistics, National Health Interview Survey, 1982-1996, 2001-2005. Approximately 12.2 million of these suffered an asthma attack that year. In addition, there were approximately 1.8 million emergency room visits attributable to asthma in 2005. In 2004, acute asthma episodes resulted in 3,780 deaths.

The direct health care cost of asthma in the United States is $11.5 billion annually. Lost productivity and other indirect costs add another $4.6 billion. $5 billion are spent every year on prescription drugs used to treat asthma and $1.7 billion is attributable to lost productivity due to death.

Asthma epidemics related to atmospheric contamination–caused by the abundance of dust and chemical particles, especially in enclosed environments–are very well known and well documented. Major risk factors in occupational exposure to toxic substances, such as polyurethane and urethane, which are used in the adhesives and plastics industry; rubber epoxy resins from paint; dry cleaning chemicals; textile cleaners fumes; and many others may also play a major role.

The meteoric rise in the global incidence of asthma has baffled researchers. Possible causes, which are currently being researched include food additives, genetics, pollution, toxins, global warming, and allergens. Asthma researchers and asthma specialists speculate that the epidemic rise in the number of new asthma cases every year for the past 30 years is due specifically to rising levels of environmental pollution.

What can you do to protect yourself and your family? You can start with Asthma Relievers – Fruits and Vegetables and Catch Your Breath Now.

Acute Asthma Episode

Acute Asthma Episodes
If you’re having an acute asthma episode, contact your doctor IMMEDIATELY

Common signs of an acute asthma episode are:

  • Your coughing and/or wheezing will not stop.
  • You’re breathing very fast but can’t catch your breath (Tachypnea).
  • Your chest feels tight.
  • You’re feeling tired AND out of breath.
  • You’re agitated and anxious.
  • Your pulse rate has increased.
  • You’ve got allergy-like symptoms, including but not limited to a runny nose, watery or itchy eyes, scratchy throat.
  • Coughing, wheezing, or shortness of breath while you’re exercising or immediately afterward.
  • You feel chest or abdominal pain.

Common signs and symptoms of increasing respiratory distress and acute breathing difficulty can include:

  • Your inability to complete a sentence.
  • You’re experiencing retractions (increased use of chest, neck, or abdominal muscles).
  • You need to sit or lean forward in order breathe easier.

Make sure that you have an Asthma Action Plan in place so that you can successfully and efficiently regain control and normalize your breathing. Read Asthma Attack Action Plan – Are you prepared? as a primer if you haven’t set one up for yourself yet.

Also, be sure to read Asthma Triggers – Do you know what yours are?, Asthma Triggers – Is Your Home Causing Your Asthma?, Asthma and Outdoor Air Pollution in Southern California and Indoor Asthma Triggers – Asthma Proof Your Home if you’re unclear about your triggers or what you can do to help yourself.

The absolute best way to get through an acute asthma episode is to never have to deal with one. There is no reason why you can’t fully and confidently participate in the life of your choice. Camp, hike, bike, jog, ski, join sports leagues, take exercise classes. Just be sure you have planned ahead – just in case.

Catch Your Breath Now!

Air Pollution is a Leading Cause of Asthma
Industrial Output & Freeway Congestion are the leading Causes of Air Pollution

Once again, asthma is on the rise. This serious breathing problem already afflicts millions of people around the world and is expected to hinder the lung function of millions more in the next 20 Years (Annual world asthma 2/17/04).

In the US, asthma continues to strike our kids. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, the rate at which kids developed asthma doubled between 1980 and 1995. By 2001, 6.3 million kids had asthma.

Few researchers are prepared to state definitively why asthma rates have continued to climb during the past two decades. However, many researchers and investigators point to several factors that seem inextricably linked to this disorder, which is marked by wheezing, shortness of breath and coughing spells.

CO2 Buildup

A report from the American Public Health Association and researchers at Harvard puts a lot of the blame for the high rate of asthma on global warming, smog and the atmosphere’s growing burden of carbon dioxide.

In this increasing burden of toxins released into the atmosphere, the rate of asthma among toddlers has grown to be particularly worrisome. Their rate of asthma has climbed more than twice the national average: by 160% between 1980 and 1994.

According to these researchers (Inside the Greenhouse: The Impacts of CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) and Climate Change on Public Health in the Inner City), global warming — which involves large increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide released by internal combustion engines and industrial processes — has fomented the asthma epidemic in several ways:

  • Extra heat in the atmosphere has stimulated rapid plant growth that results in more fungus, pollen and spores; this causes allergies that often lead to asthma. Weeds like ragweed, which release allergenic particles, have greatly increased during the past few years.
  • Extreme weather has caused more floods and damp houses, leading to more indoor air pollution from molds.
  • Diesel pollutants are now combining with pollen and mold to irritate lungs, causing troublesome allergic reactions.

Bus Fume Hazards

The report notes that in neighborhoods like Harlem, in New York City, 25% of all children suffer asthma. Rates are particularly high in children who live in apartments that are located along bus routes.

A finding that surprised the scientists is the fact that carbon dioxide released by city traffic in the burning of coal and natural gas persists over urban areas, causing a dome of CO2 pollution.

Research on air quality in New York City, Phoenix and Baltimore shows that these lingering CO2 domes contain from 400 parts per million (ppm) of carbon dioxide to 600 ppm. Those levels are significantly above the global average of 379 ppm. Over the course of the Earth’s history, going back more than 400,000 years before the Industrial age, research shows the atmosphere has averaged only 180 to 280 ppm.

Nighttime Distress

According to Robert Fink, MD: “Asthma can be a nocturnal disease, at its worst between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m., when cortisol [a hormone that regulates many bodily functions] levels are lowest” (Pediatric Asthma: Diagnosis and Treatment Goals, Medscape).

Dr. Fink says that if problems with breathing are bad enough to interfere with sleep, a health practitioner should be consulted to analyze the difficulty.

Catch Your Breath with Herbal Relief

Since asthma is linked to allergies, herbs that help to quell respiratory allergies can possibly lower your risk of asthma.

A blend of standardized herbal extracts that contains phyllanthus emblica (Indian gooseberry or amla), terminalia chebula (harda or haritaki), terminalia bellerica (bedda nut tree), albizia lebbeck (Indian walnut), zingiber officinale (ginger root), piper longum (Indian long pepper), and piper nigrum (black pepper) has been found to improve breathing and reduce the effect of allergies (FASEBJ 2004; VOL. II:A912, Abs. 600.8). Other studies have shown that these herbs can relieve nasal congestion, ease sneezing and clear bothersome mucus (J AM Coll Nutr 22(5): Abs 46, 2003).

Antibiotic Avoidance

Avoiding antibiotics may also lower the risk of asthma. “Over the past four decades there has been an explosive increase in allergy and asthma in westernized countries, says Mairi Noverr, Ph.D., a researcher who has looked at the line between antibiotic use with asthma and allergies.

“We propose that the link between antibiotic use and dysregulated pulmonary immunity is through antibiotic-induced long-term alterations in the bacterial and fungal GI microflora.”

In other words, Dr. Noverr’s, Ph.D. research shows that beneficial bacteria in people’s intestines which take part in strengthening immunity and regulating the immune response to pollen, may have been harmed by the over prescription of antibiotics by physicians.

Dr. Noverr, Ph.D. and her fellow researchers gave lab animals antibiotics before exposing them to Candida albicans (a yeast infection).

They then exposed the animals to mold spores. The result: a greater sensitivity to inhaling the spores and breathing problems similar to what people experience during hayfever season (104th General Meeting American Society of Microbiology).

“The studies presented here are the first direct demonstration that antibiotic therapy can promote the development of an allergic airway response,” says Dr. Noverr.

On a global scale, the outlook for asthma is worrisome. As other countries continue their industrial growth, the burden on the Earth’s atmosphere will grow. Meanwhile, few serious measures are being taken to reduce global warming, and the U.S. national diet frequently neglects lung-friendly vegetables and fruits.

Within that uncertain scenario, you can still boost your chances of healthy lungs: Eat more fruits and vegetables. Stay away from smoky buses. Hope for clear skies.

Asthma Triggers and Some Tips on How to Avoid Them

Pet Dander is a Common  Asthma Trigger
Pet Dander is a Leading Asthma Trigger

Asthma triggers cause airway inflammation or irritation and lead to asthma symptoms. Some of the most common triggers can include:

  • Tobacco use or second-hand smoke
  • Exposure to cold air or sudden temperature change
  • Colds or respiratory infections
  • Air pollution or fumes
  • Allergic reactions to pollen or mold
  • Chalk dust
  • Animal dander from cats, dogs, and other furred animals
  • Paints
  • Feathers or feathered animals
  • Cleaning agents
  • Cockroaches
  • New furnishings or equipment
  • Dust, dust mites
  • Pesticides
  • Vigorous exercise
  • Strong odors such as dry erase markers, magic markers, perfumes or glue/paste

You can and should minimize your exposure from potential triggers from the environment by:

  • Avoiding tobacco use or second-hand smoke.
  • Reducing indoor humidity.
  • Have your heating and ventilation systems serviced and cleaned regularly.
  • Limiting your outdoor activities when pollen counts are high.
  • Keep your environment clean and dust free.
  • Avoid using strong-smelling cleansers and heavy perfumes.
  • Warm-up before doing any vigorous exercise.
  • Wear a scarf around your face during cold weather.
  • Take a flu shot annually to protect yourself from flu exposure.
  • Avoid furred or feathered pets.
  • Reduce carpet and upholstered furniture in your home.

Try to isolate your particular triggers and do everything you can to avoid or minimize your exposure to them. The best way to deal with an asthma episode is to not have one.

If you’re interested in more detailed articles on asthma triggers, please see: Is Your Home Causing Your Asthma?, Asthma and Outdoor Air Pollution in Southern California and Asthma Proof Your Home.

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Government Resources

  • CDC – Center for Disease Control & Prevention
  • Clinical Trials – A service of the U.S. National Institutes of Health
  • EPA – United States Environmental Protection Agency
  • Medline Plus – A Service of the National Library of Medicine
  • NCCAM – National Center for Complimentary and Integrative Health
  • NHLBI – National Heart, Lung & Blood Institute
  • NIEHS – National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

Medical Resources

  • AAAAI – American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology
  • AAFA – Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America
  • American Lung Assocation
  • Asthma Page on Wikipedia
  • Mayo Clinic Asthma Articles
  • MedicineNet – Asthma Articles

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