It's not a simple answer, different things can cause an asthma attack for different people. And it can change over time, but here's what caused an asthma attack for me on Friday night.
Weird, huh? Yogurt?! I know that one of my triggers is cold temperatures, so I've always been careful. I haven't had a Gogurt in years, and I don't know why it affected me so much. But as soon as I had eaten the Gogurt, the 'hard' cough started and I could just feel my chest tightening up. Then came the mucus in the lungs. Fun stuff!
I used my inhaler, but still was having a hard time breathing, I had to prop myself up on the couch to sleep that night. Of course that was after my heart rate had finally slowed back down.
What else can cause asthma attacks? Any 'irritant' like perfume, cleaning supplies, scented candles, bad air quality.
Also allergens-animals, flowers, trees, grass, pollen, mold, dust, cockroaches, even food (I am allergic to seafood, Son #2 is allergic to tree nuts)
Respiratory infections are another cause or "trigger" of asthma attacks. Even exercise can trigger an attack. So can strong emotions. Son #2 has a great belly laugh, but once he starts, the cough always follows.
It helps to write down what you ate or were around at the time of the asthma attack. Sometimes you may never know. I had an asthma attack at a national retail store while I was shopping for a baby gift. I still have no idea what caused it.
Make sure you have an inhaher handy too, because asthma can be unpredictable.
It may take a little detective work, but keep a little notebook nearby to record what you ate or were around, because each person in your family can have different triggers.
The best thing is to avoid what causes your asthma attacks, I will never eat another Gogurt again. I eat plain yogurt all the time, and may cough a little, but nothing like Friday night. I don't know if the Gogurt was thicker or somehow colder, or what caused the problem. Everyone else in the family can eat them and not have a problem.
It just goes to show that everyone is different and every asthma cause or "trigger" can be different too. Know what yours (or your kid's ) are and avoid them. And we'll all live Happily Ever After!