Asthma Triggers

What triggers an asthma attack? Common allergens are likely culprits, including pollen, dust mites, food allergies (especially to eggs), exposure to animal dander, and tobacco smoke, Environmental pollutants such as household chemicals may also trigger asthma, as well as certain medications, including aspirin. Phsysical activity is also a trigger, and excercise-induced asthma ( EIB for "excercise-incuded bronchospasm")  is seen up to 90 percent of all asthma sufferers. Excercise-induced asthma is more likely to occur in cold, dry air. If you child is asthmatic, plan indoor exercise for days that are likely to trigger attacks. Warming up before exercise can help reduce the risk of having an asthma attack.

Finally, emotional stress may also be a trigger.

Children who suffer from a serious respiratory infection in the first two years of life are at much higher risk of developing asthma and the sam is true for children who suffer from frequent ear infection. There is also a genetic link : Children who have one or more parents with a history of asthma have double risk of developing asthma, compared to children with no immediate family member with disease.

In recent years, the rise in the incidence of asthma among children has prompted researchers to examine what has changed over the past decade or so to bring on such a dramatic increase. Some researchers speculate that in the indoor, sedentary lifestyle typical of modern Western society may increase the exposure to indoor asthma triggers. In one groundbreaking study, Swedish researchers working with theri American counterparts at Rutgers University found a strong association in children between both asthma and allergic symptoms and exposure to a group of chemical compounds commonly found in house dust called phthalates. The researches found a stunning relationship between the concentration of phthalates in dust collected in childrens homes and the childrens risk of asthma. Phthalates are widely used in industry and are virtually everywhere : They are used as additives to hair spray, plastic softeners, in wood finishes, perfumes, fragrance-containing soaps, nail polish and other beauty products, and most frightening, in a large number of soft plastic toys. Phthalates are endocrine distruptors, which means they adversely affect hormone production in the body, which in turn affects the development and function of all organ systems, including the nervous system. There are lots of good reasons to try to reduce your childs exposure to these chemicals, including their association with asthma.

There is also evidence that early exposure to fumes emitted from cleaning products and other chemicals (including paint, floor adhesive, and room fresheners) commonly found around the house may increase the risk of a child developing asthma. Needless to say, children should not be exposed to potentially dangerous fumes. Children who are asthmatic may find their asthma is irritated by any strong chemical odor, even those that dont necessarily affect other people. If you are using cleaning supplies around the house, keep your child away from the immediate area and make sure the entire house is well ventilated.