Editorial Team
... Read More
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookie Policy.
Written By: Editorial Team | Updated : May 21, 2014 2:55 PM IST
Q: My son is suffering from asthma. Can it be cured completely? I've heard that there are certain things that can trigger an asthma attack. Can you tell me more about them? What can I do to prevent my son from getting any attacks?
Sadly there is no properly documented 'cure' as such for asthma. That being said there are ways you can prevent asthma attacks. What you need to understand is that the disease is caused by certain triggers which lead to the inflammation of the airways. During an attack, the muscles surrounding the airways sink and the lining of the passages expand which reduces the amount of air that can pass through.
Asthma triggers can be broadly categorized into - Specific and Non-specific.
Some of the common specific allergens and irritants include:
Airborne irritants: Any substances you breathe in can become an allergen. These might include traffic fumes, animal hair (from dogs and cats), house dust mites, pollen, mould, industrial fumes (especially those containing sulphur dioxide), household chemicals (air fresheners and aerosols), perfumed cosmetics, scented flowers, etc.
Respiratory infections: Viral or bacterial respiratory infections that trigger attacks are the common cold, flu, bronchitis and sinus infections. They are a common cause of asthma especially in children.
Food and food additives: Some of the most common foods associated with allergic symptoms are eggs, cow's milk, peanuts, soy, wheat, fish, shrimp, etc. Food preservatives with sulphite additives like sodium bisulphite, potassium bisulphite, sodium metabisulphite, potassium metabisulphite and sodium sulphite can also trigger asthma. (Beware: All foods have an expiry date)
Tobacco smoke: Children who're exposed to second-hand smoke tend to experience asthma attacks so it's very important to keep them away from any exposure to smoking. In fact, even thirdhand smoke (smoke that clings to surfaces after the smoker has quit smoking) can be dangerous. (Read: Dangers of passive smoking)
Heartburn: Severe heartburn, known as gastro oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and asthma often go hand-in-hand. The stomach acids reflux (comes back) into the oesophagus because the valve between the oesophagus and stomach does not function properly. If the acid reaches into the airways, the irritation and inflammation can trigger an attack.
Drugs: Certain prescription and over-the-counter drugs like aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen and beta blockers) may trigger asthma attacks.
Non-specific causes:
Emotional Stress: Extreme emotions such as anxiety, anger and fear induce stress which in turn changes heart-rate and breathing patterns. There is rapid, shallow breathing causing constriction of airways and this consequently leads to an asthmatic attack.
Exercise-induced Asthma triggered by exercise or physical exertion. Please check with a physician whether it's safe before your child participates in any kind of physical activity.
Extreme weather - Hot and humid weather or extremely cold weather causes asthma symptoms to flare-up.
Along with the aforementioned non-specific causes genetic predisposition to asthma can also play a part. It's also important that your son always keep his inhaler handy for emergencies. Religiously avoiding the aforementioned triggers can keep asthma at bay. (Read: Tips to prevent asthma attack in children)
Read more about causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of asthma.
You may also like to read:
For more articles on asthma, check out our asthma section. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for all the latest updates! For daily free health tips, sign up for our newsletter. And to join discussions on health topics of your choice, visit our forum.
