A health expert has revealed a number of surprising asthma triggers that many people are unaware of
Any sufferer of asthma will know how unpredictable the condition can be and how difficult it is to know what triggers it – and how to avoid these triggers. If you’re finding that you’re avoiding common triggers like dust, pet hair and air pollution but still getting asthma attacks, it may be being caused by less known triggers that not everyone is aware of.
Now an expert, GP Dr Andrew Whittamore, Asthma + Lung UK’s clinical lead, has revealed six different, simple, every day things you should look out for that might just be the culprit of your mystery attacks – and could even be triggering potentially life threatening attacks in some. Now, Dr Whittamore has highlighted 6 things you may never have known can be bad for you asthma.
1. Histamine and Sulphite rich foods
People with asthma are often particularly sensitive to compounds known as histamines and sulphites, which can trigger reactions like coughing, sneezing and wheezing, can be present in certain foods and alcohol. Although they only affect a minority of people, they can be highly triggering.
Sulphites are often found in processed meats like sausages, burgers, bacon and ham, as well as in pickled foods like gherkins, vinegar, dried fruit and fruit jams and vegetable jams. Fizzy drinks and concentrated fruit juices and squashes can also contain these compound that may trigger a reaction. The key to spotting them is checking the label for E numbers E221 to E228.
Histamines, on the other hand, are actually a natural chemical released by the body during an allergic reaction and cause common symptoms like rashes, restricted breathing and swelling. However, they are also present in some alcoholic drinks, notably wine, beer and cider.
2. Swimming
With the days growing ever warmer, the top summertime activity of swimming could be off the table for some people with asthma, Dr Whittamore explained. This is due to chemicals such as chlorine, used to clean swimming pool water by killing bacteria, which can trigger attacks.
This means diving into pools of chlorine rich water, or even sunbathing by a pool, could bring on asthma symptoms if you’re sensitive to it – but so could working in environments where chemicals like chlorine or bleach are used frequently. In a study done by Asthma + Lung UK, it was found that cleaning products triggered 76 per cent of women, compared with only 26 per cent of men.
However, Dr Whittamore said that “swimming overall is a great form of cardiovascular exercise”, helping to keep the heart and, importantly, the lungs in good condition. therefore, if chlorine isn’t something that bothers you or triggers symptoms, he encourage it.
3. Your workplace
Asthma brought on by breathing in certain substances at work, like dust, fumes, chemicals or animal fur, has a specific name and is known as occupational asthma. While you might not notice your work environment affecting you immediately, it may develop over time as your immune system becomes sensitive to certain things.
Triggers such as these can even cause childhood asthma that has laid dormant for years to return so if you notice yourself developing reoccurring reactions while at work, such a breathlessness, wheezing or coughing, its important to go to your GP who will be able to help you understand what’s causing it.
They might do this by a asking you a series of questions about when you first noticed your symptoms and whether they lessen when you’re at home or on holiday. Occupational asthma can be nipped in the bud and disappear completely as long as you stop all contact with things triggering your symptoms.
4. Extreme emotions
People with asthma may sometimes find they experience an attack at the most inconvenient of times, such as when gripped by intense fear, half way through an angry rant or in the middle of a bout of hysterical laughter. Well, strong emotions can often trigger asthma symptoms, Dr Whittemore explains.
This is because your breathing changes depending on what emotion you are expressing. Being upset for example, crying, talking and taking faster, deeper breathes than usual can lead to classic asthma symptoms like coughing, wheezing or a tight chest. In fact, Asthma + Lung UK report that they found 40 per cent of women who has asthma were triggered by intense emotions and 25 per cent of men.
Dr Whittamore suggests keeping a symptom tracker in order to help combat this, and logging your symptoms when they occur along with how you were feeling or what you were doing at the time. This way you might be able to spot a pattern and be able to prepare better by ensuring you are always carrying your prescribed reliever inhaler with you for times when intense feelings creep up on you.
He also recommends making sure you keep up to date with taking your preventer inhaler every day. It can also be helpful to share with others when you are feeling down, overwhelmed or emotional.
5. Hormonal changes
The hormonal changes that accompany periods, pregnancy and menopause can also be triggering for those with asthma, although doctors or not yet completley sure why this is – although one theory is that high or varied hormone levels can cause inflammation in the airways. He said: “We’ve found that as many as one in three women with asthma report worse asthma symptoms before or during a period.”
However, while some women find that their asthma symptoms worsen during pregnancy, others find that they completely disappear and some experience no change whatsoever. Some women also develop asthma for the first time later in life after menopause which can be harder to control.
Once again, Dr Whittamore suggests keeping a diary of your symptoms if you think your hormones may be having an affect on them, including information like what stage of your cycle you are on. Then, with help from a GP, you can use this information to work out what the causes of your symptoms are and if anything can be done to treat it. He also mentioned that your risk of developing asthma for the first time after menopause can increase when your overweight and suggested that your doctor may be able to help you implement a plan to lose weight if needed.
6. Scents and fragrances
Burning scented candles or sticks can significantly increase the concentration of particles in the air, which in turn can irritate the airways and trigger asthma symptoms. One candle can release enough particles into the air to cause breathlessness, wheezing and more, while burning an incense stick emits more than 100 times that.
In fact, there is even evidence that suggests a link between burning incense sticks and lung disease and so its always advised to use them infrequently and in moderation. Scented candles contain formaldehyde, but used only occasionally, they shouldn’t impact your health too significantly. Its highly recommended to never burn them together and when using either, do so in moderate amounts.
