Dust, smoke, cold air… Many triggers can cause an attack in people with asthma. A pulmonologist gives us her advice for treating it and reducing the risks of having others.
- 6 to 9% of the French population is asthmatic.
- Several factors can trigger an asthma attack, such as dust mites, air pollution, pet dander or even the cold.
- In the event of a simple attack, taking a maximum of six to eight puffs of short-acting bronchodilators is sufficient. Otherwise, you must contact a doctor or emergency services quickly.
Nearly 4 million French people have asthma, according to the latest data from Public Health France in 2022, with an increase in prevalence among children.
Asthmatic cough is one of the symptoms of this chronic inflammatory disease of the bronchi, along with shortness of breath, wheezing or even a feeling of tightness in the chest. A seizure can last from several minutes to a few hours. Its intensity and frequency vary depending on the individual.
Asthma: why can a cough occur?
“One of the characteristics of an asthmatic cough is that there are specific triggers for the cough”, explains Dr. Emily Pennington, pulmonologist at the Cleveland Clinic. These triggers can be dust, air pollution, pet dander, cigarette smoke, chemicals, or very cold air. “For some patients it may be a dry cough, but for others the cough may produce phlegm or mucus.” Note that it is common for a cough due to asthma to get worse at night and can even wake the patient up.
According to the pulmonologist, it is especially important to avoid asthma attacks, by taking certain measures to reduce the risks. How ? By avoiding potential triggers as much as possible. She advises, for example, wearing a mask when you come into contact with one of these triggering factors, or even covering your mouth when breathing outside if the air is very cool and could then trigger an attack.
Managing an asthma attack at home
Corticosteroid inhalers constitute the main type of basic treatment for asthma, explains the doctor. But in an emergency, short-acting bronchodilators can be used, such as Ventolin. They work very quickly, within minutes, but only for four to six hours. Normally, a simple attack should stop after taking no more than six to eight puffs of the aerosol (spaced every 10 to 15 minutes). You should also think about removing the trigger from the patient’s environment.
If the crisis resists treatment, it may be a so-called “severe” crisis. In this situation, you must notify a doctor or the Emergency Department without delay (by calling 15, 18 or 115). Some acute asthma attacks may require corticosteroid injections for a few days.
Weight can also impact asthma
Finally, the specialist recalls that weight plays an important role in asthma: “obesity increases inflammation in the body, which can make asthma harder to control”. Conversely, good habits can help manage asthma, including “a diet rich in fruits and vegetables and low in processed foods”.
