Discover what triggers Your Asthma

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How can I avoid common triggers? Firstly, try to discover what triggers your asthma. Common triggers include tobacco smoke, cold air and exercise.

1. You should be strict about no smoking inside your home and other places where you spend time. Exposure to tobacco smoke makes asthma worse in most people.
2. Cold air triggers symptoms more easily when you are not getting enough treatment for your asthma, and increasing your dose of anti-inflammatory medication will often help.
3. Exercise is important and should normally not be discouraged, because asthma symptoms during or following exercise can usually be prevented by good medication.

Some allergens can be avoided. For example, if you are allergic to horses or cats you should keep away from them. Other allergens and environmental triggers, such as house dust mite, pollen and air pollution, are more difficult to avoid completely.

Remember there is a difference between triggers that cause inflammation (‘inducers’) and those that only cause temporary symptoms. Full advice about which allergens and environments you should avoid can only be given after talking to your doctor and often after you have been tested for allergies.