Avoiding triggers
Triggers for asthma vary widely and differ between patients. Possible triggers for asthma are listed in Triggers for exacerbations of existing asthma.
|
Action |
Trigger |
|---|---|
|
Always avoid |
cigarette smoke |
|
Avoid or minimise if possible |
allergens (eg pollen, dust mite) airborne or environmental irritants (eg cold or dry air, occupational irritants, pollution, smoke) drugs associated with asthma exacerbations (eg NSAIDs for patients with aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease, beta blockers [NB1]) dietary triggers (either temperature related [eg cold drinks] or allergy related [for patients with food allergies]) [NB2] |
|
Manage |
respiratory tract infections comorbidities (eg allergic rhinitis, gastro-oesophageal reflux, nasal polyposis, obesity, inducible laryngeal obstruction) physiological and psychological changes (extreme emotions, hormonal changes, pregnancy, sexual activity) |
Note:
NSAID = nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug NB1: If a patient with asthma develops an indication for beta-blocker therapy (eg heart failure, myocardial infarction), start beta-blocker therapy at a low dose under supervision. NB2: Food allergies rarely trigger acute asthma; however, a confirmed food allergy is a risk factor for asthma-related death. | |