Take Control of These Well-Known Triggers
Your best bet is to eliminate your exposure to toxins and potential allergens. Here are the big ones to watch out for.
- Common lung irritants. These include pollen, cat or dog dander, dust or mold, strong odors, smoke, and cold weather. Viral infections and physical exertion can also have a negative effect.
- Food preservatives. As many as 10 percent of asthmatics have a sensitivity to sulfites, just for starters. Sulfites are used as a preservative in restaurant salad bars, and are present in wine and alcoholic beverages, as well as processed foods.
- Food allergies. It is thought that up to 75 percent of all asthmatics have undiagnosed food allergies as well. A lot of these allergies stay undiagnosed and unrecognized because reactions to these foods can be delayed for days, and by then the culprit is not associated with the attack. Common food suspects are wheat, corn, dairy products, citrus fruits, peanuts, eggs, and chocolate.
- Aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. These drugs can cause severe attacks if you are sensitive to them.
- Industrial chemicals. So far, there are 250 known chemical allergens, with industrial isocyanates—widely used in automobile, airplane, and train manufacturing—the most common cause of occupational asthma.