Controlling your asthma can be very difficult if you don't know why you're having difficulties. Triggers are the things that cause you to wheeze and set off an asthma attack. Examples include pollens and dust, but triggers are not always easily identifiable.

Triggers are substances, weather conditions, or activities that are harmless to most people, but can lead to coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath in those with asthma. They don't cause asthma, but they can lead to asthma symptoms and flare-ups.

Triggers vary from person to person. Asthma can't be cured, but it can be managed. The goal of asthma management is to reduce symptoms on a day-to-day basis and to maintain normal activity levels, including the ability to exercise and participate in sports. One way to do this is by minimizing exposure to triggers. If exposure isn't controlled, triggers can cause severe flare-ups, chronic symptoms between flare-ups, and even reduced lung function.