26 Oct Substances and Activities That Can Trigger COPD Flare-ups: A Survey
Patients and their medical care providers have known for some time that environmental factors can trigger a COPD flare-up, but this knowledge was based mostly on anecdotal evidence. A few years ago, a study collected and analyzed data on these triggers and their effects on COPD.
The COPD Trigger Study
In the study, 167 COPD patients were surveyed about their daily activities and any chemical exposures that might be irritating to the respiratory system. Questions included whether engagement in certain activities or exposure to certain products or chemicals affected their breathing and whether as a result they avoided these triggers, or took additional medications at the time of exposure.
Findings About COPD Triggers
More than half of the COPD patients in the study reported that the following activities or exposures affected their breathing:
- sweeping
- vacuuming
- dusting
- cigarette smoke
- wood smoke
- vehicle exhaust
- cleaning products
- perfumes
- scented candles
- insect spray
- hair products
Differences Between COPD Patients With Asthma and Patients With Severe COPD
Interestingly, COPD patients with asthma responded more strongly to volatile organic compounds, while those with more severe COPD were more severely affected by particulate exposures.
Advice On Environmental Triggers and COPD
To the extent possible, avoid the triggers listed above, especially those that you know have worsened your COPD symptoms in the past. Be prepared with your COPD medications when you’re unavoidably exposed to COPD triggers.
Information for this article was obtained from BioMed Central – COPD Research and Practice.
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Posted at 17:07h, 29 July[…] Also, during periods of unhealthy air, try to avoid the creation of additional indoor pollution. Avoid tobacco smoking, burning candles or incense, frying or searing foods on cooktops, using a wood-burning fireplace or generators that create toxic gases such as carbon monoxide. Even the use of air fresheners and vacuuming the floor can increase indoor air pollution. […]