From the article: 23 COPD Triggers That May Worsen Your COPD
From grass cuttings to pet dander, COPD triggers are anything that worsens your COPD symptoms. What are your specific COPD triggers and more importantly, how do you avoid them in your daily life? Share Your Triggers
My Triggers Are:
- Bleach, strong perfumes, damp weather in summer or winter, fireplace smoke, candles, pollen and any number of things outdoors.
- —Guest anne
Dogs
- My dog is in my bed. He gets groomed once a month. Is this bad or good?
- —Guest jimmydean
Panic
- Panic can immobilize a person with COPD. I've learned to deep breathe ('smell the roses/blow out the candle') and to stop what I am doing to get my breath under control and resume easier breathing. Sit down and sit up straight while doing this or if near and wall, lean into it while recovering. Remember that you have recovered using these techniques before and that you're on your way to recovery. Self-talk boasts my confidence and leads to success. I avoid tranquillizing medication. I already have a heavy regimen of drugs to treat COPD.
- —lesleyprince
Several Triggers
- There are so many triggers for exacerbations for me: laughter, talking, particularly when socializing with friends. I have to leave for a quiet room to recover my oxygen levels, then return. This happens every 15 minutes or so. Lifting, bending, too many!
- —Guest Ziggy
Rural Area Adds More
- A lot of the ones listed but this rural area adds grain/harvest dust, hog and poultry confinement stench and algae blooms in the lakes.
- —penstemon52
Secondhand Smoke
- When walking up to a store and someone is smoking it takes my breath away. I have to stop walking because it's hard to breathe after smelling the smoke.
- —Guest artie47
Household Cleaners & More
- Household cleaners, especially ones used for limescale removal. Have switched to roll on deodorant because spray ones affect me. Also perfumes, after shaves, smoke of all kinds. Some extreme weather conditions especially cold and rain and wind. All of these give me a tickly cough leading to shortness of breath.
- —trixie52
Pepper
- Ground black pepper - just realized it this week but I have had reaction in the past and blamed everything but the right thing.
- —beagle6
Personal triggers
- Stress, Stress, Stress! Plus all the above mentioned!
- —Guest Mary Q
OUT THERE
- When I'm out and about and there is a very 'strong' perfume aroma my lungs will start to tighten. Those electrical room deodorant Plug-Ins. I can handle a very 'light' Vanilla scent. Also, if I'm Hurried, my lungs tighten.
- —Guest Marj
House Cleaning Products
- I've noticed it is house cleaners like Clorox cleaner and any perfume will make me short of breath
- —Guest artie47
Bad Perfume and More
- Bad perfume/after-shave. Extreme heat and humidity. Extra cold drinks. Other people in a huge rush or walking real fast. Unexpected surprises. Going to the doctor. I'd swear all of these literally cause me to hold my breath sometimes (could be a flight/fright thing) which impacts breathing.
- —Beeden46
Too Many Triggers To Count
- My worst triggers are heat/humidity, very cold air, exercise. The best way for me to avoid them is to stay indoors, but this can lead to depression. Using my Nebulizer just before going out, or just before engaging in physical activity often helps to prevent SOB. I have a tendency to panic when I become SOB. Talking myself into relaxation will help to break the cycle with this. My Doctor has also given me Xanax to help when I know in advance that I will be under greater stress and likely to panic. It is important that meds like this be used only as a last resort, as they can slow breathing, and some can become dependent on them. I use Xanax very sparingly, relying more on good relaxation techniques when I feel I'm losing control. Before leaving the house, always double-check to be sure you have your inhaler with you! Nothing induces panic more than realizing you are without your inhaler when you need it! If you go for a walk, take a cell phone. If you get SOB, you can call for help.
- —shelleyb2154
Grass Clippings and More
- Grass clippings, candle scents, cleaning products, mold, high temps and humidity.
- —Guest sam ala
Extremes
- Any kind of extreme . . . too hot, too cold, too wet, too dry. Same thing with smells . . . too strong, too hot, too fizzy, too . . .
- —kookykathy
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