After you get a diagnosis of asthma, all you hear is about identifying your asthma triggers. Seasonal triggers, airborne triggers, irritant triggers – what is the difference between them and why should you care anyway?
The reality is that almost anything can act as an asthma trigger when your body's immune system misinterprets a harmless substance as a threat and initiates an overreaction. This results in inflammation of your airways, which is what causes your asthma symptoms.
The most effective way to control asthma is by avoiding those things that trigger your symptoms. It's hard to do that effectively unless you know what your specific asthma triggers are. Because triggers can vary so much from person to person, although there are commonalities, it's important not to make assumptions about yours.
Instead, carefully track when and where your asthma symptoms occur, and eventually you will begin to get a sense of what your asthma triggers may be. Allergy testing can help confirm some kinds of allergic asthma triggers, if necessary.
Sources: "Expert Panel Report 3: Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma." NHLBI Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Asthma. 28 Aug 2007. National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. 18 Dec. 2007 <http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/asthma/asthgdln.pdf>
