Asthma Triggers and Management in Charlottesville

Is your asthma being managed scientifically? CARE combines your a) Clinical Asthma Control Scores with b) Measurements of Airway Caliber/Flow and c) FENO (Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide) - learn more by clicking HERE. FENO levels significantly correlate with airway inflammation. It may be helpful in identifying true asthma from 'asthma-like' conditions, and in determining appropriate use of asthma inhalers.

Individuals suffering from asthma may be able to minimize their symptoms and improve their quality of life by identifying and then avoiding their asthma triggers. Some of the common triggers for asthma include:

• House dust mites, animal dander, molds, pollen, cockroach droppings or foods
• Tobacco smoke, which is an irritant that often aggravates asthma
• Bacterial and viral infections such as common cold and sinusitis
• Strenuous exercise
• Exposure to cold, dry air
• Acid reflux
• Medications such as Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Beta Blockers and others can cause or worsen asthma
• Certain foods can trigger wheezing in some people
• Emotional anxiety may also increase your asthma symptoms and trigger an attack

Treatment and Management: Asthma is not a homogenous disease; instead, it is a syndrome that involves a variety of causative factors.  Therefore, individualized assessment & treatment of asthma is recommended.  A personalized plan for care often involves control of environmental control measures to avoid your asthma triggers, careful selection of medications, an asthma action plan, and of course, a partnership between you, your family, your allergist and other healthcare providers. Once asthma is well-managed, most individuals can participate in their routine activities. Furthermore, since asthma is a chronic ailment, it requires ongoing management including optimal use of medications to prevent and control asthma symptoms and to reduce airway inflammation. There are two general classes of asthma medications, quick-relief and long-term controller medications, both of which are often prescribed by your allergist.

(Information only; not intended to replace medical advice; adapted from AAAAI)