Asthma Triggers Knowing what causes your asthma symptoms is an important step to controlling your asthma. Identify your asthma triggers and learn simple ways to limit your exposure or avoid it all together.

The most common asthma triggers include:

• Respiratory Infections. Respiratory infections, such as a cold, flu, or sinus infection, are the most common cause of asthma symptoms leading to an asthma flare-up.

• Allergens. Allergens, such as pollen, mold, dust, dust mites, cockroaches, animal droppings, and dander from animals with fur or feathers, can irritate your airways causing an allergic reaction.

• Irritants. Irritants can bother most people's airways, but if you have asthma, they can trigger a flare-up. Common sources of irritants include perfumes, cleaning fluids, cigarette smoke, air pollution, wood smoke and kerosene heaters.

• Exercise. Breathing fast during physical activity can cause the lungs to be more sensitive. They may produce more mucus leading to asthma symptoms.

• Emotions. Crying, yelling or even laughing may cause asthma symptoms. Stress, both personal and work-related, can be a major trigger.

• Chemicals. Certain chemicals cause severe asthma symptoms in people with asthma. Common chemicals include sulfur dioxide and sulfites (used to preserve foods and beverages), the off-gassing of new products or furniture, and aspirin or other anti-inflammatory drugs.

• Seasonal/Time Triggers. Some people with asthma experience more problems with symptoms at certain times of the day (during sleeping time when airways tend to close some), certain times of the month (hormonal changes in women during pregnancy or menstruation), or certain times of the year (when pollen levels are high such as in the fall and the spring).

• Smoking. Tobacco smoke irritates the airways. If you smoke, you must quit to help control your asthma symptoms. If you don't, but live with someone who does, encourage them to quit. The American Lung Association offers many ways to help smokers quit. Contact the American Lung Association Lung HelpLine to speak with a smoking cessation counselor.

Work with your healthcare provider to determine the things that trigger your asthma symptoms. Once you have identified your triggers, you can make a plan to reduce your exposure to them.

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