Do Asthma Triggers Change Over Time?

As a teenager, I got together with a bunch of fellow asthmatic teenagers. This was back in 1985, during my stay at an asthma hospital. I was a patient there because that is what they did back in the 80s when you had difficulty controlling asthma.

And, while we mostly talked about non-asthma-related topics, we sometimes discussed asthma. One of the first asthma-related topics we discussed was asthma triggers. As we started listing them, it was neat to see how many asthma triggers we had in common.

Identifying my asthma triggers

I listed my triggers.

• Strong smells, such as perfume
• Tree pollen (springtime)
• Mold
• Laughing
• Dust mites
• The laundry aisle at grocery stores
• The basement of our house (dust mites, mold, etc.)
• Cutting grass
• Smoke from cigarettes or the chimney
• Colds or lung infections
• Wood/sawdust

And my asthma friends listed many of the same things. So, that was the first time I realized that those of us with asthma have many of the same triggers.

Not all asthma triggers are created equal

But some of us listed “unique to us” triggers. An example here is one of my childhood asthma friends, who listed sleeping as one of his triggers. I later learned that he had gastrointestinal reflux (GERD), and this was worse at night when he was lying flat.

My unique trigger was an itchy chin and neck. Although years later, I realized I was not alone with this trigger either.

My asthma triggers changed over time

So, this discussion took place in January 1985. That was 38 years ago. Today, as I list my triggers, I realize that my triggers have changed with time.

My triggers today are:

• Colds or lung infections
• Mold
• Smoke
• Dust mites

And, except for colds or lung infections, the asthma symptoms that I experience are quite mild compared to back in 1985. For instance, today I might experience mild chest tightness when exposed to dust mites and smoke. Although when I am exposed to the other listed triggers, my asthma attacks can become quite severe.

My definition of "severe asthma" is needing steroids. On the contrary, all my asthma attacks were severe back in 1985. That is, until I was able to get my asthma under control.

Why did my asthma triggers change?

I think the answer is "improved asthma control." With better asthma control, my lungs are less sensitive to my triggers. So, today I can laugh without having an asthma attack. I can cut the grass without it triggering my asthma. I can walk down the laundry detergent aisle in a store without it triggering my asthma.

Unfortunately, despite good asthma control, colds and molds still trigger severe asthma attacks. Although I can avoid these triggers most of the time, I am happy about that.

That is why I wear an N95 mask when I am seeing patients in the emergency room. In my mind, this reduces my exposure to this trigger. Still, my kids do sometimes bring respiratory viruses home from school.

Have your asthma triggers changed over time?

For those of you who have had asthma for many years, have your asthma triggers changed over time? What do you think explains the change? Please let us know in the comments below.