Trigger factors Difference between trigger and cause

Trigger factors 1. infections 2. house dust mites (HDM) 3. pollen and spores 4. animals 5. exercise 6. cold air 6. Drugs 7. Foods 8. pregnancy and menstruation 9. Emotions 10. Deep inhalation

Trigger factors Infections ☞ commonest & important  Respiratory tract infections -acute bronchitis -simple cold -viral infections  Don’t treat infections and forget asthma (incorrect response)

Trigger factors House Dust Mite

Trigger factors  80% of asthmatic children are sensitive to it  Beddings, carpets, furniture's, soft toys  Present even in most clean houses  You can not eradicate,but can reduce count  Vacuuming, covering mattresses and pillows House Dust Mite

Trigger factors Pollen and spores  Grass pollen, plants  Seasons ( late spring and early summer )  Related more to hayfever than asthma

Trigger factors Animals  Cats, dogs, horses, small rodents  Birds  Cockroach  Hair, saliva, urine, feaces, shed skin

Trigger factors Exercise  Breathlessness during exercise  Asthmatics have narrowing of airways

Trigger factors Exercise  Few minutes after exercise stopped →breathlessness

Trigger factors Exercise

Exercise  Cooling and drying effect of inspired air  Asthmatics tolerate swimming (warm & humid air)

Trigger factors Just Going outdoor in cold day can make some people with asthma cough and wheeze Cold air

Trigger factors Deep inhalation Any Sharp intake of breath can bring on symptoms for some people with asthma e.g. fit of laughter

Trigger factors Drugs  Elderly polypharmacy  B blockers 1) eye drops (timolol) in glaucoma 2) oral (atenolol, metoprolol, propnanolol)  aspirin and NSAIDs (5% of adult onset asthma)

Trigger factors Foods  uncommon trigger  more in atopics  milk, eggs, nuts, eggs, fish, Tartrazine, alcohol, sulfur dioxide

Trigger factors Pregnancy and menstruation  Role of third  May worsen premenstrual

Trigger factors Emotions  Stress  Psychosocial factors  Asthma is worrying disease→aggrevate emotional stress  Controlling symptoms relieve emotional problems

Trigger factors Other trigger factors  Smoke  Dust  Fumes  Regurgitation of food (Reflux)

Trigger factors How to avoid triggers ?

Trigger factors Triggers avoidance Viral infections impossible to avoid action plan (self management )

Trigger factors Triggers avoidance - Pollens  Remain indoors when count is high  Close windows

Trigger factors Triggers avoidance - HDM  Impossible to eradicate but you can reduce count:  Vacuum cleaner with high efficacy filter (HIPA)  Covering mattress, pillows with protective covers  Changing feather pillows, woolen blankets to synthetic ones  Wash bedding weekly (55 ◦ C)  Vacuum mattress regularly

Trigger factors Triggers avoidance - HDM  Impossible to eradicate but you can reduce count:  Replace curtains with blinds or light washables  Replace carpets with vinyl or wooden flooring and rugs which can be shaken outdoors  Place soft toys in freezer (6 hours) – then do vacuum

Trigger factors  Commonest allergic disease in clinical practice  80% of asthmatics have association with rhinitis  Rhinitis can trigger asthmatic attack → drip on Throat → cough which trigger asthma Association – Asthma and Rhinitis

Trigger factors  Under diagnosed  So … always search for rhinitis in asthmatic patients  Rhinitis treatment will improve asthma control  Treatment: combination of non sedating AH+ topical nasal steroids Association – Asthma and Rhinitis

Asthma management across ages Asthma and rhinitis  Treating nasal rhinitis may improve asthma symptoms (Prieto et al,1994)  Oral + inhaled steroids doses should be considered for systemic side effects risk Association – Asthma and Rhinitis