Understanding Asthma Triggers and Creating Your Own Asthma Action Plan

An asthma attack can either progress slowly or sneak up on you, striking without warning. The slightest trigger can set off a chain reaction, causing inflammation and swelling in the lungs. This leads to bronchospasms, where your airways constrict, making it difficult to breathe. The wheezing sound when exhaling is a common symptom of asthma, especially in children, due to air passing through a narrow airway. Other symptoms may include shortness of breath, tightness in the chest, and coughing. Symptoms can range from mild to major, sometimes becoming a life-threatening condition.

For many Filipinos, living with asthma is part of their day-to-day struggle. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), asthma is a huge health concern in the Philippines, affecting 11 million Filipinos – approximately 12% of the population. Even though asthma is widespread in the country, an alarming 98% of asthmatic Filipinos lack proper treatment.

A report indicates that most Filipinos with asthma rely on information from family, friends, and the Internet to manage their condition, instead of seeking professional medical advice. Underrating asthma symptoms and their impact on a person’s life results in poor asthma control, stressing the importance of awareness, creating a personal Asthma Action Plan, and the need for accessible and affordable healthcare Philippines.

Identifying Asthma Triggers

What sets off your asthma? A crucial step in managing asthma is identifying your personal triggers, so you can avoid them or at least limit your exposure. This can help reduce the frequency and severity of asthma episodes. Common triggers include:

Allergens – Exposure to any of the following allergens can activate asthma:

Pollen

Mold

Dust mites

Animal allergens (pet dander)

Rodents

Cockroaches

Environmental Irritantants – Airborne pollutants can irritate sensitive airways and also trigger an asthma episode.

Tobacco smoke
Air pollution (e.g., smog, vehicle emissions, industrial emissions)
Dust particles
Chemical fumes
Wildfire smoke
Charcoal grills
Strong odors and vapors (e.g.,scented soaps, perfumes, and cleaning products)

Respiratory Infections – According to the Cleveland Clinic, any of the following respiratory infections can worsen the symptoms of asthma:

Colds
Sinus infections
Sorethroat
Flu
COVID-19
Pneumonia

Physical Activity – Exercising and other forms of physical exertion, especially in cold or dry air, can affect your condition.
Weather Changes – Sudden or extreme temperature changes (e.g., high humidity, cold air) can also lead to an attack.
Emotional Stress – According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), strong emotional responses such as excitement, anger, and anxiety (e.g., due to fear or anticipated danger) can alter breathing, triggering an attack or worsening asthma symptoms.

Taking Control With An Asthma Action Plan

Although there is no cure for asthma, you can manage it by developing an Asthma Action Plan with your healthcare provider. It should include the following:
- Potential Triggers – A list of things to avoid to prevent an attack.
- Symptoms to Monitor – Understanding the signs that your asthma is worsening
- Medications to Take – Treatment may vary from person to person depending on age, triggers, symptoms, and most effective strategies that keep your asthma under control. The use of an inhaler (short-acting bronchodilators) can help open swollen airways and provide quick relief for sudden attacks. For proper use, read the instructions on the inhaler’s packaging. Anticholinergic agents and oral and intravenous corticosteroids may also be prescribed to offer rapid, short-term relief. Long-term asthma control medications may include inhaled corticosteroids, Leukotriene modifiers, combination inhalers, and Theophylline.
- When to Step-Up Treatments – Knowing when you need to increase your asthma medication dosage or frequency based on your symptoms
- Hospital and ER Instructions – Your Asthma Action Plan should specify when to go to the nearest emergency room, what information to provide to the medical personnel (such as details of your Emergency Prepaid Health Card, and who to contact in case of an emergency. These instructions will help ensure that you receive the correct and timely emergency care during a severe asthma attack.

Conclusion

As we observe National Lung Month this August, Medicare Plus Inc. encourages you to take a proactive approach to better respiratory health. Asthma is a prevalent concern in the Philippines, but you can manage this chronic respiratory condition with proper awareness and a dedicated Asthma Action Plan.

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