Do you know what triggers asthma?

Anthony Dowell, MD

BSU Student Health Center

Q. As we head into the hot summer months, do you have any tips on managing Asthma?
A. Although wheezing, cough, shortness of breath and chest tightness are common symptoms of asthma, the causes and degree of severity vary from person to person and from time to time in the same person. It is very important to understand your asthma triggers and to work with your health care provider to devise a treatment plan that includes prevention, monitoring and treatment of your asthma.

Q. What exactly is an asthma trigger?
A. An asthma trigger may be anything that sets off your asthma symptoms. Common examples are cigarette smoke, dust, mold, pets, chemical agents, feathers, a high pollen count, cold dry air and even exercise. It is important to understand that each person may have a different set of triggers and that by avoiding them the asthma symptoms may be prevented or reduced. A thorough history taken by you with your health care provider will uncover and define your asthma triggers, allowing you to prevent and manage your asthma symptoms.

Q. What types of physical exercise can I participate in if I have asthma?
A. While physical activity can be a trigger for some people, it is still very important to include exercise as part of your daily routine, it just needs to be the right type and level of exercise. You may just need to take breaks while you exercise or your health care provider may tell you to take your asthma medicine before you exercise, such as your inhaled bronchodilator albuterol. As a rule, exercise in a warm humid environment is less likely to trigger an asthma attack than exercise in a cold dry environment.

Q. When I have an asthma attack what should I do?
A. Because asthma is a serious condition that can be life-threatening, it is important to know what to do when you have an attack. While it’s always important to recognize and avoid your asthma triggers, if you do have an attack, stay calm and use the medication and treatments your health care provider has established for you. If your asthma symptoms persist then you should contact your health care provider immediately, or if your asthma symptoms worsen or become severe then you should seek emergency care including calling 911 if you are unable to reach your health care provider quickly.

Q. What is a peak flow meter?
A. A peak flow meter is a hand held device that tells you how well your lungs are working. You use it by simply taking a keep breath in and then exhaling quickly and hard into the meter. The device shows a number that tells you how fast your exhaled air is moving (flow rate). If you log daily numbers over time you can learn the average function of your lungs and possibly identify early opportunities to improve your lung airflow by increasing your medication use and by avoiding your asthma triggers.

Anthony Dowell, MD is a physician at the BSU Student Health Center, managed by Cardinal Health System. For more information contact: info@chsmail.org.

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