Environmental Medicine

Asthma Triggers

Allergic asthma affected nearly 17.3 million people in 1998, including 4.8 million children, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC). Both in the United States, and in other developed countries, there has been a significant increase in asthma both as an illness and a cause of death. Yet outdoor air quality has improved and there have been declines in mortality due to other pulmonary diseases, such as tuberculosis and pneumonia.

Why is asthma on the rise?

Some scientists theorize that the decline in serious illness may be one factor in the increase of allergic asthma. They believe it is possible that an under-utilized immune system may overreact to lesser irritants, inappropriately triggering the release of histamine and other inflammatory substances in the lungs.

Other researchers believe that the increased amount of time children are spending indoors is increasing their exposure to carpeting and other allergen-triggers.

What are environmental triggers that can cause an asthma attack?

Allergens that can trigger asthma include:

pollen
mold
animal protein
house/dust mites
cockroaches

Irritants that can trigger asthma include:

strong odors and sprays, such as perfumes, household cleaners, cooking fumes, paints and varnishes
chemicals such as coal, chalk dust, or talcum powder
air pollutants
chemical exposure on the job, such as occupational vapors, dust, gases or fumes
tobacco smoke
wood smoke