Asthma Triggers & Causes

Asthma and Outdoor Air Pollution in Southern California

Toxic Air Pollution — A Factory Spewing Toxic Chemicals Into Our Air

Asthma research conducted in the past half-century has focused primarily on indoor allergens and their effect on asthma sufferers. As it turns out, Scientists are just beginning to realize that outdoor air pollution has a significant, if not more profound, effect on asthma.

A recent study conducted by the University of Southern California’s Keck School of Medicine, funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, recently studied the outdoor air pollution levels of 10 Southern California cities.

The researchers found that the closer children live to a freeway, the greater their chances of being diagnosed with asthma. In addition, they found that children were also more likely to develop asthma symptoms if the air around their homes had higher levels of nitrogen dioxide. Nitrogen dioxide is a toxic pollutant emitted from the tailpipes of motor vehicles.

As a direct result of that study, the NIEHS has launched a new research program investigating and attempting to identify the genetic risk factors that predispose people to asthma. Using gene expression profiling, researchers will be screening thousands of genes in the hopes of identifying which of those genes are activated when a patient’s airways become obstructed or inflamed.

The goal of the study is to determine which genes make certain people susceptible to different types of asthma. It will attempt to explain why some people develop asthma living in and around urban centers, while others do not.

Read Catch Your Breath Now for more information on the effect of outdoor air pollutants on asthma.

Is Your Home Causing Your Asthma?

Chances Are, Your Home IS Causing Your Asthma — Chances are Common Asthma Triggers found in Your Home Are Indeed Causing Asthma Attacks

Is your home causing your asthma? Recent studies say yes. They also say that exposure to indoor allergens such as rodents, molds, fungi, dust mites, dogs, cats and cockroaches are among the most important and dangerous environmental triggers for asthma.

The National Survey of Lead and Allergens in Housing, conducted from 1998 to 2002, conducted by the NIEHS (National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences) in conjunction with researchers from HUD (Department of Housing and Urban Development), showed that 100% of US homes had detectable levels of cat and dog allergens. Even though cat ownership was reported in only 24% of the surveyed homes and dog ownership was reported in only 32% of the surveyed homes.

Nearly 100% of the homes surveyed had levels of cat and dog allergen which exceeded the threshold for allergic sensitization and over 30% had allergen levels high enough to produce asthma symptoms and asthma episodes.

In other words, even if you don’t own a dog or cat, chances are you’ve got cat and dog allergens all over your home at fairly significant levels.

The survey also showed that 46% of the houses surveyed had levels of dust mite allergens high enough to produce allergic reactions. Over 20% of all the surveyed homes had combined allergen levels high enough to trigger asthma symptoms and asthma episodes in genetically susceptible individuals.

As if that weren’t enough, survey results also show that over 65% of American homes have detectable levels of cockroach allergens, whether you see them or not.

The highest cockroach allergen concentrations are found in high-rise apartment buildings, urban settings, older homes, and low income households. Roughly 10% of the surveyed homes had cockroach allergen levels above the threshold for triggering asthma symptoms.

What can you do? NIEHS scientists, in collaboration with researchers from other asthma research centers have developed intervention strategies designed to reduce exposure to asthma triggers found in the home.

Read Asthma Proof Your Home.

Asthma Proof Your Home for Better Indoor Breathing

Asthma proof your home today. Experts agree tha the allergens found in your home are among the most dangerous triggers for your asthma. Dogs, cats, dust mites and cockroaches are some of the worst offenders.

Surprisingly enough, it doesn’t even matter if you own any pets, or have ever seen cockroaches or dust mites scurrying about. (Be sure to read “Asthma Triggers – Is Your Home Causing Your Asthma?” for more trigger information).

A surprising finding from a study conducted from 1998 to 2002 by the National Institute Of Environmental Health Sciences, shows that 100% of US homes have detectable levels of dog and cat allergens. In fact, most homes had levels of dog and cat allergens, exceeding the threshold for allergic sensitization.

The problem is only 24% of the surveyed homes reported cat ownership, while only 32% reported dog ownership.

So whether you live with a pet or not, according to the NIEHS, you are certainly living with pet dander.

Thankfully, as it turns out, one of the most cost effective and beneficial asthma management techniques is free and doesn’t require any special training. Keep your home clean.

Researchers from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, in collaboration with scientists from Harvard University and the University of Washington found that the simple act of washing your bedding in hot water, putting allergen impermeable covers on your pillows, box springs and mattresses, in addition to vacuuming and steam cleaning your carpets and upholstered furniture will significantly reduce dust mite and pet dander allergen levels.

Unfortunately, you have no control over the best predictors of dust mite allergen levels. The age of your home and your home’s indoor humidity level have the most significant impact on the amount of dust mites found in your home. Your only recourse if you live in an older home in a humid area, is to move, if you can afford it.

Over 60% of American homes have detectable levels of cockroach allergens. Recent studies have provided evidence which suggests exposure to cockroach allergens are the single most important risk factor for asthma in inner-city households.

Whether you’ve seen them scurrying about your kitchen or not, if you live in a high-rise apartment building, an urban setting, or in an older home, chances are you’re living with them and have been for quite a while.

The good news, according to a National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences study conducted in 2005, is that all it takes to reduce cockroach allergen levels in your home by 84% to 96% is a thorough cleaning and professional pest control.

Unfortunately, much of the asthma research conducted by government agencies, universities and privately funded entities, has focused on indoor allergens. As more and more data has proven, outdoor pollutants seem to play an even larger role in triggering asthma symptoms and asthma episodes.

Read about a recent study on asthma and air pollution conducted in Southern California.

Sulfites and Asthma

Sulfites are Found in Wine — Sulfites Found in Wine Can be Dangerous for Asthmatics

Many people with asthma are sensitive to food additives known as sulfites. Sulfites consumed in foods have been known to cause severe asthma attacks in asthmatics all over the world.

Unfortunately, many restaurants use sulfiting agents–including sodium bisulfite, potassium meta bisulfate, and sulfur dioxide — to prevent discoloration and bacterial growth in green salads, cut and sliced fruit, frozen shellfish, and many other foods.

The types and severity of reactions to sulfites in sensitive individuals vary, and may include breathing difficulties, anaphylactic shock, severe headaches, abdominal pain, stuffy and or runny nose, flushing of the face and a “hot flash” feeling, diarrhea, irritability, and/or feelings of anger. These symptoms seem to occur quickly, usually within 20 to 30 minutes after consuming sulfites.

Here’s an eye opening video on sulphites:

Obviously, sulfites pose a greater danger to some people than to others. In particular, asthma sufferers, people with a history of allergies, or a deficiency of the liver enzyme sulfite oxidase can suffer great harm. In the United States alone, sulfites have been implicated in at least 13 deaths.

You will always find it easy to determine if a food product contains sulfites. Sulfiting agents may appear in food ingredient lists in many varieties. For example, sodium sulfite, sodium bisulfite, sodium meta-bisulfite, potassium bisulfite, potassium meta-bisulfite and sulfur dioxide.

You can safely assume that any ingredient included on a food product’s ingredient list ending in -sulfite to be a sulfiting agent. If you believe you have suffered a reaction after ingesting a food which you believe contained sulfites, you should be cautious of ingesting any of the foods and beverages listed in the table below.

Fresh Fruits and Beverages

Avocado dip (guacamole)
Coleslaw
Grapes
Mushrooms
Potatoes
Prepared cut fruit or vegetable salads

Fish and shellfish

Canned seafood soups
Clams
Crabs
Dried fish
Fresh shellfish, especially shrimp
Frozen, canned, or dried shellfish
Lobster
Oysters
Scallops
Shrimp

Prepared or Processed Foods

Beet sugars
Breading mixes
Breakfast cereals
Brown sugar
Canned fruit pie fillings
Canned mushrooms
Caramels
Corn, maple, and pancake syrups
Cornstarch
Dietetic processed foods
Dried or canned soups
Dry salad dressing mixes
Frozen, canned, or dried fruits and vegetables
Frozen French fries
Glazed fruits
Hard candles
Horseradish
Jams and jellies
Maraschino cherries
Noodle and rice mixes
Olives
Onion relish
Pickles
Potato chips
Sauces and gravies
Sauerkraut
Shredded coconut
Trail mixes
Wine vinegar

Miscellaneous

Apple cider
Baked goods
Beer
Bottled, canned, or frozen fruit juices
Bottled, canned, or frozen vegetable juices
Cocktail mixes
Colas
Cordials
Cornmeal
Frozen doughs
Fruit drinks
Gelatin
Instant tea mixes
Wines

If you suspect you have had a negative reaction to one of the above listed foods or to one that isn’t listed, be sure to make a note of the brand and type of food or beverage you’ve consumed. Check the label and see if the ingredient list includes a sulfite. If it does, and you can’t live without that particular fruit or beverage, try to find a replacement that’s missing the sulfite.

If you can’t find a suitable replacement, we would suggest you stop eating that particular brand or type of food or beverage. You’ll feel better.

Lower Your Asthma Risk

Fruits and Vegetables High in Vitamin C Have Been Shown to Lower the incidence of Asthma Attacks — Eat Plenty of Fruits High in Vitamin C

Research has pointed to several ways to significantly lower your or your family’s asthma risk:

Eat plenty of fruits & vegetables high in Vitamin C.
Unless absolutely necessary, do not administer antibiotics to children under six months of age (European Respiratory Society Conference, Vienna, 09/03).
Children under the age of three should consume full-cream milk and butter daily (PIAMA Birth Cohort Study 2003; 58:567-72).
Stay out of indoor swimming pools; their chemicals can make lungs more susceptible to asthma (Occup & Environ Med 2003; 60:385-94).
Avoid hormone replacement therapy when you reach menopause (Arch Int Med 2/23/04).
Don’t smoke; don’t let family members be exposed to secondhand smoke. According to Robert Fink, MD “[T]he hospitalization rate for asthma in children is 50% higher if there is a smoker in the household.”
Open windows at home to clear the house of indoor air pollutants.
Avoid products, such as hairspray, that come in pressurized cans.
Practice stress relief, and transmit this information to your children.
“[E]motionally induced’ asthma is a real entity,” says Dr. Fink. “It has been shown that crying or laughing can elicit a histamine response”– that is, a release of the chemical responsible for allergic reactions.