How to Avoid Asthma Attacks Video Transcript

Webcast Transcript

VAREN BLACK: Besides cigarette smoke, what are some other common triggers for asthma patients?

CHRIS WINSLOW, MD: Triggers are divided into two basic categories. There are irritants, and there are allergens. Irritants are something that you don't develop an allergic response to but nonetheless are, as the name implies, irritating to you.

VAREN BLACK: Such as?

CHRIS WINSLOW, MD: Such as cigarette smoke. No one is allergic to cigarette smoke, but inhaling that into your airways can aggravate or precipitate asthma symptoms in an individual. Strong odors, such as perfumes or household cleaning products or, maybe, strong cooking smells are other irritants that can provoke asthma symptoms in some individuals.

Other triggers that are allergens might be seasonal exposures to things that are in the environment when the grasses start blossoming and the trees start to bloom. Ragweed blooms in the fall. Dust mites are tiny, ubiquitous creatures in our environment that people can develop some sensitivities to. So those are allergens, substances that, when certain people are exposed to them, they can develop asthma symptoms.

VAREN BLACK: What about mold and cats and dogs?

CHRIS WINSLOW, MD: Mold and cats and dogs are also potential allergens. There are individuals that are very sensitive to animal dander, which is a combination of their fur and also the cells and the sweat that they secrete that is part of that fur, which becomes aerosolized in the environment.

VAREN BLACK: So the bottom line is keep your home or your environment clean?

CHRIS WINSLOW, MD: That's very important. The identification of both irritants and allergens that are important for your asthma is crucial, and then doing the best that you possibly can to avoid exposure to them. In your home that might mean pulling up your carpets because dust and dust mites and animal hair can become trapped in your carpets. Removing the carpets from your house, or at least your bedroom. If you have pets, minimizing your exposure to that as much as possible. Removal of the pet from the home, and if that's not an acceptable option, then keeping the pet out of the bedroom where an individual would sleep. Dust mite covers. Dust mites tend to live in mattresses, and since most people spend six to eight hours a day in bed, covering your mattresses with covers that prevent the dust mites from coming through and you being exposed to them would also be an important intervention that you can do to minimize your exposure to them.

VAREN BLACK: Thank you, Dr. Winslow. Good advice that will go a long way in helping asthma patients.

CHRIS WINSLOW, MD: My pleasure.

VAREN BLACK: Thank you for being with us. I'm Varen Black.

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