What causes an asthma attack?

Many triggers: Asthma starts with inflammation of the airways. That inflammation can be triggered by many exposures, such as allergies, infections, and weather changes. Irritants like cigarette smoke and dust can also start an asthma attack. Exercise for many people can also cause symptoms. In the last few years, acid reflux has been recognized as a cause for asthma. Avoiding & controlling these prevents attacks.

Multiple Triggers: Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease that can have multiple different triggers: allergens, cold air, exercise, smells and stress for example. In addition there are other diseases that mimic asthma that must be evaluated that could mimic asthma -- churg strauss syndrome, Alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency, cystic fibrosis to name a few. See you doc for full evaluation and treatment plan.

Five major triggers: Exercise, cold air, pollution, respiratory infection especially viral respiratory infection, and allergens. Number 6 is laughter. That's right; ask anyone with asthma. There are 2 kinds of air pollution - outdoor & indoor. Everyone knows about outdoor pollution. Indoor pollution is cigarette smoke, wood smoke, gases from poorly-functioning gas appliances like a stove, cooking odors & fragrances.