Other asthma triggers
Smoke and asthma
Both tobacco smoke and wood smoke from fireplaces can trigger an asthma attack. If you're a smoker, quitting smoking can help reduce asthma symptoms. Avoiding exposure to second-hand smoke will also help.
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Other chemicals that may trigger asthma
Fumes and odors from paint, cleaning solutions, and even perfume can trigger asthma symptoms. Many people are exposed to these triggers at work. Usually, their symptoms improve if they are away from these chemicals for several days.
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If you have asthma and are planning to renovate, you should know that fumes from paint and new flooring can trigger asthma symptoms.
1 Avoid these triggers if you can.
Asthma and air pollution
Air pollution is also an asthma trigger. Limiting the amount of time you exercise or work outdoors when air pollution levels are high can help.
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Air pollution can also be found indoors. Making sure your home and appliances such as gas stoves are properly vented can help reduce the level of indoor asthma triggers.
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Asthma and medicines
Aspirin and some heart medications can also trigger asthma symptoms. About one in five adults is sensitive to aspirin.
1 Make sure that your doctor knows about all of the medicines you are taking, as well as any vitamins and dietary supplements you take.
Reference
- NHLBI Expert Panel Report 3 (EPR3): Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma. Available at: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/asthma/asthgdln.htm. Accessed April 20, 2010.
ProAir
® HFA (albuterol sulfate) Inhalation Aerosol is indicated in patients 4 years of age and older for the treatment or prevention of bronchospasm with reversible obstructive airway disease and for the prevention of exercise-induced bronchospasm.
Important Safety Information
If your symptoms become significantly worse when you use ProAir
® HFA, contact your doctor immediately. This may indicate either a worsening of your asthma or a reaction to the medication, which may rarely occur with the first use of a new canister of ProAir
® HFA. Either of these could be life-threatening.
What to tell your doctor before using ProAir
® HFA: If you have a heart, blood, or seizure disorder, high blood pressure, diabetes, or an overactive thyroid, be sure to tell your doctor. Also make sure your doctor knows all the medications you are taking – especially heart medications and drugs that treat depression – because some medications may interfere with how well your asthma medications work. Do not exceed the recommended dose.
Side effects associated with ProAir
® HFA included headache, rapid heart beat, pain, dizziness, and irritation of the throat and nose.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit
www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.