Asthma Triggers
Physical Triggers
Many people with asthma experience symptoms during/after exercise or other strenuous activity.
- Use asthma medications such as rescue inhalers before exercise to open the airways if directed by your health care provider.
- Talk to your health care provider about the exercise pretreatment program that's best for you.
Strong emotions — excitement, laughter, nervous stress — can trigger asthma in some people.
- Try deep breathing slowly for a few minutes or other relaxation exercises.
A cold, the flu or a sinus infection can trigger an asthma episode.
- Talk to your health care provider about getting an annual flu shot if you have asthma.
- Avoid coming into contact with people who have colds or the flu.
- Do everything you can to stay healthy, particularly during the winter cold and flu season: get plenty of rest, eat a well-balanced diet and exercise regularly.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is a condition in which stomach acid flows backward up into the esophagus. In some people this triggers asthma, which may improve when the reflux is treated.
