Did you know that you can be diagnosed with asthma later in life? Late-onset asthma or adult-onset asthma is asthma that develops as an adult, usually in those over the age of 20. In many cases, patients with adult-onset asthma experience the condition as a child. Their symptoms may have disappeared during their teenage years, but some individuals find their asthma returns in adulthood. If you’re one of them, we’re here to help you know what may trigger your asthma and how to prevent it.

What are Asthma Triggers and Symptoms?

Asthma triggers are anything that irritates your airways and sets off your asthma symptoms. Triggers may be in your home, workplace, or during your commutes. When you come in contact with these, the asthma symptoms you may experience are coughing and wheezing. It’s caused by the swelling, clogging, and muscle tightening of your airways due to the presence of triggers, like pollens and house dust mites. If left untreated, an episode of asthma symptoms may last anywhere from an hour or so to several days or weeks.

Here is a list of common asthma triggers that may help you identify what triggers your asthma symptoms:

• Tobacco Smoke

Tobacco or cigarette smoke is unhealthy for everyone, especially people with asthma. Asthmatic children who are around secondhand smoke have more frequent asthma attacks, commonly wheezing and coughing.

• Dust mites

All year-round, dust mites are the most common trigger for people with asthma. These microscopic creatures that you can find living in dust produce allergens that may trigger a runny nose, persistent sneezing, cough, congestion, or even a severe asthma attack.

• Outdoor air pollution

Neighbourhoods in bushfire-prone areas or near a main road can harm asthmatics. The mix of harmful gases from cars and wildfire smoke from bushfires are common asthma triggers in Australia. Breathing in air pollution may swell up and tighten airways causing chest discomfort.

• Pets

Your pets can trigger asthma symptoms because of the proteins found in their skin flakes (dander), saliva, or urine. Some patients may experience symptoms after a few minutes or not until several hours later. It may start with a watery nose and eyes, itchiness, and sneezing.

• Mould

Mould is present indoors in damp places such as carpets, wallpaper, and water-damaged ceilings. Inhaling mould spores can reduce lung function and trigger asthma symptoms, such as shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing.

• Cleaning and disinfectant products

Several cleaning and disinfectant products may contain chemicals that may trigger asthma symptoms. Watch out for mixing disinfectant products or using bleach when cleaning. Products with fragrances that may linger after use may also cause symptoms. 

• Physical exercise

Difficulty breathing is one of the asthma symptoms that you may experience during or after exercise. A hard exercise increases airway inflammation and may produce excess mucus, causing shortness of breath, coughing, or chest pain that may last for an hour or longer if untreated.

How to Prevent Asthma Triggers and Symptoms 

If you want to manage your asthma, following these tips may help:

1. Avoid smoking areas

If you experience attacks when you smell tobacco smoke, avoid them as much as possible. Be careful around other sources of smoke, including incense, candles, and wildfire smoke because these could also trigger your asthma. Proper indoor air ventilation is recommended, as well as wearing a mask when commuting or travelling.

 2. Exercise safely

Even for those with asthma, sports or physical activities will help you maintain a normal and healthy lifestyle. Volleyball and gymnastics are some of the recommended short, intermittent activities you can do regularly. Before doing any activities, you should discuss with your doctor an appropriate routine.

3. Take your medications

Taking your prescription as directed by your doctor helps prevent asthma symptoms. From long-term asthma control medications to quick-relief medications, remember to bring them with you when you travel because you will never know what may happen.

Tip: Find out the closest hospital in advance to know where to go if there's an emergency.

4. Clean regularly

Clearing dust and washing sheets regularly help remove allergens that can trigger your asthma. If you have a pet, giving them baths and vacuuming every day can reduce exposure to pet dander. You can build a weekly cleaning routine to keep your home dust-free.

5. Invest in high-quality asthma care devices

Using asthma care devices, like spacers and nebulisers, can help manage your asthma. Being a trusted provider of premium healthcare products in Australia, we ensure that you get high-quality asthma care devices to help prevent triggering asthma attacks. 

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