Know Your Lung Triggers: Keep the “Fire” in Your Lungs Under Control
If you live with a chronic respiratory condition such as asthma or COPD, you probably know that some days your breathing feels easier than others. Have you ever stopped to think about what causes those changes?
Sometimes there is a pattern.
Maybe your breathing becomes more difficult when you're around strong perfumes. Perhaps cold air makes you cough. Maybe smoke from a wildfire leaves you feeling short of breath. Or you notice that after catching a cold or the flu, your coughing and mucous increase.
These are clues that your lungs are giving you.
Learning to recognize your personal lung triggers can help you to reduce your exposure to them—and may help you prevent or reduce respiratory flare-ups, also called exacerbations.
What is a lung trigger?
A trigger is something that can irritate your airways or increase inflammation in your lungs, causing your respiratory symptoms to worsen.
Triggers are different for everyone. Some common triggers include:
Smoke, including wildfire and cigarette smoke
Pollen and other allergens
Dust and mold
Perfumes, fragrances, and cleaning products
Cold or dry air
Poor outdoor air quality
Emotions
Respiratory infections such as colds, influenza, COVID-19, or RSV
Other environmental irritants
The important thing is to learn your triggers.
Listen for the signs
Your lungs may tell you that you've been exposed to a trigger before you even know exactly what caused it.
Pay attention to your symptoms:
Increased shortness of breath
More coughing than usual
Increased mucous or a change in your mucous (colour & consistency)
Wheezing or chest tightness
Needing your reliever medication more often
Feeling more tired or less able to do your usual activities
These changes are worth noticing, especially if they follow a particular situation or exposure.
Try asking yourself: “What happened before my symptoms increased?”
You might begin to see a pattern.
Keeping a simple record of your symptoms, activities, environment, and exposures can help you identify those patterns. You don't need a complicated system—a few notes on your phone can be enough.
Think of your inflammation like a fire
At Poplar, we sometimes refer to lung inflammation like a fire. Triggers can cause your lungs to flare-up!
When your lungs are exposed to a trigger, your airways may become more irritated and inflamed, making it harder to breathe and causing more coughing, mucous, wheezing, or shortness of breath.
The goal isn't to live in a bubble or avoid everything that might possibly trigger your symptoms. Instead, it's about becoming more aware of what makes your lungs react and finding practical ways to avoid a flare-up.
For example, if wildfire smoke is a trigger for you, check the air quality before heading outdoors and consider changing your plans when air quality is poor. Control your indoor air at home by choosing fragrance-free products, cleaning regularly to remove dust and mold, and by using a HEPA air purifier. If cold air triggers symptoms, try covering your nose and mouth with a scarf or other suitable face covering to warm the air you breathe.
Small changes can add up.
Don't forget about infections
Respiratory infections can be an important trigger for lung flare-ups.
When you get sick with an infection such as influenza, COVID-19, or RSV, your immune system responds with inflammation. For someone living with a chronic respiratory condition, this can contribute to increased respiratory symptoms and, in some cases, a significant exacerbation.
That's one reason staying up to date with recommended vaccinations is an important part of protecting your respiratory health.
Talk with your healthcare provider or pharmacist about which vaccines are recommended for you. Depending on your age, health conditions, and individual circumstances, this may include vaccines for influenza, COVID-19, RSV, shingles, and other vaccine-preventable illnesses.
Vaccination is one part of staying healthy and it can be an important one.
Why preventing flare-ups matters
A flare-up isn't just a temporary inconvenience.
A significant respiratory exacerbation can disrupt your daily life, affect your ability to exercise and participate in activities, and sometimes require additional medications, urgent medical care, or hospitalization.
Repeated flare-ups can also take a toll on your overall lung health. That's why prevention matters.
By identifying your triggers and reducing your exposure when possible, you're taking an active role in protecting your lungs. You're also creating more opportunities to stay active, sleep well, participate in the things you enjoy, and maintain your independence.
Become your own lung detective
This month, we encourage you to become curious about your breathing.
Notice when your symptoms change. Think about what you were doing, where you were, what you were exposed to, and whether you've recently been sick.
Then ask yourself:
What makes my breathing better?
What makes it worse?
What can I change or avoid when possible?
You may not be able to avoid every trigger—and you don't have to. The goal is to understand your lungs well enough to make informed choices that support them.
And remember: if you're struggling to identify or manage your respiratory triggers, you don't have to figure it out alone.
The team at the Poplar Clinic can help you understand your symptoms, identify potential triggers, develop strategies to reduce your exposure, and build a respiratory action plan that fits your life.
Because when we reduce the things that fuel the fire, we give our lungs a better chance to stay calm, healthy, and working their best for as long as possible.
Call 236-361-3480 to book your free 15-minute Welcome Session with a Registered Respiratory Therapist in the Poplar Clinic.