Triggers of Asthma - What are They?

The words 'triggers' or 'trigger factors' of asthma are used for the things which can cause an attack in someone who already has asthma. There is a huge variety of these triggers that have been reported by patients including dogs, cats, tobacco smoke, cold air, exercise, being upset, anxiety, and stress, taking aspirin, dust, fumes and even laughter. However, particularly severe attacks which can lead to hospital stays usually occur following a virus infection in the nose or chest. It is important that an asthmatic and their doctor identify the one or more triggers that can make their asthma worse and limit exposure to them through daily management of the disease. The most common triggers for asthma include: Allergens *