June 2001
Espanol
If you or someone you love sometimes has trouble breathing because of asthma, you may feel powerless to prevent the wheezing, coughing, or gasping symptoms that can appear to "come out of nowhere."
Limit Exposure to Triggers
Fortunately, because asthma symptoms are usually caused, or triggered, by a specific factor or combination of factors, you can help control asthma by understanding these triggers and limiting exposure to them.
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Allergies to pollens, mold, pets, and other things in your environment
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Air pollution such as tobacco smoke, high ozone levels, and traffic fumes
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Emotions, including fear, crying, and laughing
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Exercise, especially when it leads to overexertion or in cold weather
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Household irritants, including dust, cleaning products, and perfume
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Illnesses such as a cold or respiratory infection
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Medications, including some over-the-counter pain relievers
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Weather, particularly wind and cold air
Triggers vary widely among people with asthma, but there are a number of common ones.Talk to your doctor about the possible triggers listed above, and any others you think might be making your (or your loved one's) asthma worse.
For more comprehensive information about asthma triggers, visit the Asthma Index on this web site.
Important Information About Pain Relievers
Because some pain relievers can trigger asthma symptoms, it's important for someone with asthma to talk to a doctor before selecting an over-the-counter product for common aches, pains, and fever. The two major types of over-the-counter pain relievers are:
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Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, also called NSAIDs, including aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen sodium
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Acetaminophen, the medicine in TYLENOL®.
There still remains much to be researched about the link between asthma and all pain relievers. Studies have shown that up to 20% of people with asthma may be sensitive to aspirin and other NSAIDs. Asthma guidelines from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute recommend that people with asthma use acetaminophen, as directed, instead of NSAIDs, such as aspirin. But when deciding which over-the-counter pain reliever is right for you, talk to your doctor.
Brought to you by McNeil Consumer Healthcare, the maker of TYLENOL ®. The American Lung Association® and McNeil Consumer Healthcare are working together to promote asthma education. The American Lung Association does not endorse products.
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