Asthma triggers and risk factors

One in every 12 adults in the UK has asthma, an inflammatory condition affecting the airways of your lungs. It causes episodes of breathlessness, chest tightness, coughing and wheezing. Here we’ll look at what triggers an asthma attack and risk factors for developing asthma.

Risk factors for asthma

If you have a family history of asthma ie a first-degree relative with the condition, your risk of developing asthma is higher. 

Your risk is also greater if you have allergies, such as allergic eczema or allergic rhinitis (hay fever), and/or develop conjunctivitis during allergy season, which lasts from March to November in the UK depending on which allergen your immune system is reacting against. 

Certain occupations can also make you more susceptible to developing asthma, specifically those where your work environment involves exposure to higher-than-normal levels of dust or chemical fumes, gases and vapours. This can cause occupational asthma, which is more common if you work, for example, as a baker, hairdresser or vehicle paint sprayer.

Triggers for asthma attacks

An asthma attack occurs when your airways swell and narrow, which can happen quickly or gradually. This makes it hard to breathe. 

The most common trigger for an asthma attack is infection, for example, with a common cold. Seasonal asthma attacks are usually triggered by exposure to grass pollen, house dust or animal dander. 

Less commonly, exercise, cold weather and/or an increase in humidity can trigger an attack. Humidity can trigger an attack in and of itself, or through increasing the levels of common allergens and viruses in the air, which are unable to disperse as easily. 

Treating asthma

The main treatment for asthma is the use of inhalers. There are two types: relievers (short-acting bronchodilators) that provide immediate relief during an asthma attack, and preventers (steroid inhalers) that help prevent inflammation of your airways to reduce the chances of an asthma attack. 

Today, combination asthma inhalers are available, which contain both a bronchodilator and a steroid. 

In some cases, an inhaler is not enough to completely relieve the symptoms of an asthma attack. In these cases, a short course (five to seven days) of steroids is usually prescribed, sometimes alongside a course of antibiotics if there are signs of an infection. 

If you experience more than a few asthma attacks a year that need treatment with a course of steroids, your doctor may refer you for specialist treatment with biologics. 

Asthma monitoring

Asthma monitoring is important, simple and non-invasive. If you have chest symptoms that need frequent use of blue inhalers (reliever), then your asthma is not controlled.

If you have night symptoms of breathlessness or coughing, your asthma is not controlled. 

Check your peak flow twice a day using your peak flow meter — keep it by your toothbrush to help you remember to measure your peak flow twice daily. 

Also, identify your best peak flow ie your highest peak flow. If you have symptoms and your peak flow values fall below 75% of your best peak flow, then your asthma is not controlled.  

Uncontrolled asthma will usually need treatment through increasing the frequency of your inhaler use or taking a course of steroids.