Risk Factors & Triggers

Risk Factors 

• Having a blood relative (such as a parent or sibling) with asthma
• Having an allergic condition, such as atopic dermatitis or allergic rhinitis (hay fever)
• Being overweight
• Being a smoker
• Exposure to secondhand smoke
• Having a mother who smoked while pregnant
• Exposure to exhaust fumes or other types of pollution
• Exposure to occupational triggers, such as chemicals used in farming, hairdressing and manufacturing
• Low birth weight

What's a trigger?

Triggers often bring on asthma attacks. A trigger is any thing or condition that causes inflammation in the airways, which then leads to asthma symptoms.

Your personal triggers can be very different from those of another person with asthma. But in every case, it's important to avoid your triggers in order to keep airway inflammation to a minimum.

Inflammatory Triggers

Inflammatory (allergic) triggers can cause inflammation of the lungs' airways or tightening of the airways' muscles. Inflammatory triggers include:

• Dust mites
• Animals
• Cockroaches
• Moulds
• Pollens
• Viral infections
• Certain air pollutants

Symptom Triggers

Symptom (non-allergic) triggers generally do not cause inflammation, but they can provoke "twitchy" airways, especially if they're already inflamed. Symptom triggers include:

• Smoke
• Exercise
• Cold air
•   Chemical fumes and other strong-smelling substances like perfumes
• Certain food additives like sulfites
• Certain air pollutants
• Intense emotions