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Pleasant and unpleasant asthma triggers

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What brings on an asthma attack and what makes it worse? Certain triggers are nice, while others are not-so-nice. One of the most important – but most underestimated – triggers is cold air.

Nice

  • Exercise
  • Perfume
  • Pollen
  • Braai smoke
  • Cats
  • Dogs
  • A good laugh
  • Excitement
  • Sleep

Not-so-nice

  • Cigarette smoke
  • Cold or dry air
  • Dust mites
  • Chemicals
  • Feathers
  • Fungal spores
  • Cockroach droppings
  • Anxiety or distress
  • Carpet cleaning solutions containing formalin
  • Welding and soldering
  • Insect repellents

Other triggers

  • Illnesses and medication
  • Aspirin and other painkillers
  • Glaucoma eye drops
  • Ibuprofen and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatories
  • Betablocker blood pressure medications
  • Hormonal changes (such as menstruation and pregnancy)
  • Allergic rhinitis (hay fever)

Some occupations expose the lungs of workers to dangerous substances over long periods and can lead to job-related asthma. According to the law damages can be claimed for this. People who work with wood, grain, flour, tobacco and chemicals such as formalin can also develop asthma.

Gases released during welding and soldering can also trigger an acute attack.

- (Health24.com)

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