Cold air, cigarette smoke, air pollution, mold, pet dander, exercise, stress, certain foods — we all know that these things can easily trigger an asthma attack.
But despite of steering clear of them just like a world-renowned dodgeball player, does it seem like you are still having asthma attacks every now and then? Maybe it’s time that you also get to know some of the lesser-known triggers of your chronic lung condition.
So if you want to keep the use of your trusted inhaler to a minimum, keep on reading. Below you will come across some asthma triggers that not a lot of asthmatics know about.
Sunscreen
It’s no secret that applying sunscreen is something that can lower your risk of premature skin aging signs and deadly skin cancer. Unfortunately, this must-have product may in fact trigger an asthma attack.
Experts say that this is especially true if you are using the spray kind as the asthma-triggering ingredient can easily wreak havoc on your airways — PABA, short for para-aminobenzoic acid. And here’s one more reason to avoid PABA-containing sunscreens: they shield you from UVB radiation only and not UVA.
Thunderstorms
According to statistics, the number of asthmatic people rushing to the ER to seek care seems to considerably increase during or after thunderstorms.
If you’re afraid of thunderstorms because you know for a fact that lightning is dangerous, then the stress or anxiety they can cause can certainly leave you with an asthma attack. But experts have another explanation why asthma attacks are prevalent during thunderstorms: during an electrical storm, pollen grains rupture and get spread.
Air Fresheners
What’s the point of making the air smell fantastic with the help of air fresheners if you are having a hard time breathing it in because of an asthma attack?
Experts say that air fresheners boasting of floral smells are the most notorious for wreaking havoc on the airways of asthmatics. Some scented candles can trigger an asthma attack, too. If you want to deodorize your room, count on an air-freshening spray out of white vinegar diluted with water. Or open a box of baking soda and leave it in one corner.
LOL-ing
Every asthma sufferer knows for a fact that stress can cause an attack to strike. But are you aware that extreme emotional states may also leave you fishing that inhaler out of your bag or pocket?
For instance, laughing out loud can cause a restriction in the flow of air and alter breathing patterns, causing a bout of asthma. Anger, fear, surprise, disgust, excitement — these and a bunch of other strong emotions can also trigger an asthma attack. As with so many other things in life, moderation is key.
Acid Reflux
It’s common knowledge that acid reflux can cause unfavorable things such as heartburn, excessive burping, difficulty swallowing and a sensation of having a lump in the throat.
However, it’s also possible for you to have acid reflux without experiencing any of the symptoms above, and it’s referred to by the experts as silent reflux. And what does silent reflux brings each time it’s around? An asthma attack! Experts confirm that more than 75 percent of asthmatics also have acid reflux or silent reflux.
Got family members and friends who are also asthma sufferers? Make sure that you repost this article so that they may also get acquainted with the above-mentioned lesser-known triggers of asthma — and start avoiding them accordingly.
By the way, is there something else that seems to cause you to encounter an asthma attack? Feel free to share it in the comments section down below before you leave — it may actually be triggering someone else’s asthma, too, without him or her being aware of it.
