Asthma can be a serious and frustrating disease to deal with and while there are many medications that will help treat the symptoms, the best way to avoid an asthma attack is to avoid whatever triggers it.

It can be hard to determine what triggers your asthma. While some triggers are obvious, there are several that you might not expect as well.

Here are a few to beware of.

Pests
Rats and insects are annoying, but did you know that they can also trigger asthma? Ladybugs, stink bugs, mice and rats can all trigger asthma. These creatures can sneak into your home without you knowing it and could cause your asthma to act up. It can be hard to find them and get rid of them and you may need to call an exterminator if you find them living in your home.

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Pollution
We know pollution is bad, but it can be especially bad for people with asthma. Car emissions are one of the biggest asthma triggers that people don’t think about. If you live near a highway, the pollution from the cars that travel that highway could be making your asthma worse.

Obesity
If you are obese, you are at risk for asthma. Dr. Timothy Craig, DO, a Fellow of the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology said, “obesity may predispose them to increased risk of allergic diseases as well as increased risks of asthma and severe asthma.” By losing weight you may reduce your allergy symptoms. While you obviously can’t avoid your own body, you can lose weight and stop yourself from triggering your own asthma attacks.

If you are suffering from asthma and can’t figure out what is triggering it, check your home and surroundings. If you notice any of these triggers, remove them as soon as possible and see if your asthma symptoms clear up. Remember, some of them may be easier to spot than others, and you may want to talk to your doctor about other possible triggers that you should avoid.

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