Hidden Triggers That Cause Your Asthma — and Make It Worse

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease that can become life-threatening if attacks are not controlled with medication. During an asthma attack, the airways narrow and fill with mucus, leading to symptoms such as coughing, shortness of breath, and wheezing.

But asthma is not just a “lung disease.” More and more research points to the fact that this diagnosis may hide deeper causes: disruptions in the immune system, digestive problems, increased environmental toxin exposure, and even stress. The goal of this article is to show which hidden triggers may underlie asthma and why medication alone is often not enough. You’ll learn how the functional medicine approach considers asthma a systemic imbalance and what you can do to not only relieve symptoms, but actually address the root causes.

What Triggers Asthma: A Functional Perspective

From the viewpoint of functional medicine, asthma is not simply a reaction of the bronchi to an irritant. It is the result of a systemic breakdown in immune regulation, where inflammation affects several organs and systems at once.

Why does one person simply sneeze when entering a dusty room or smelling cleaning products, while another experiences an asthma attack with shortness of breath and coughing? It’s not just the strength of the irritant, but the individual characteristics of each person’s immune system. Increasing research confirms that asthma symptoms often reflect deeper systemic imbalances.

The Immune System and Its Reactivity. In people with asthma, the immune system begins to see ordinary substances—such as pollen, dust, mold, or animal dander—as threats. This triggers inflammation and bronchial spasms. Such reactivity may be partially inherited, but more often it develops under the influence of environmental factors, nutrition, past infections, and stress. When the immune system “loses tolerance,” the body becomes sensitive even to harmless triggers.

Gut and Barrier Function. The lining of the gut acts as a major protective barrier. When this barrier is compromised, fragments of food, bacteria, or toxins can enter the bloodstream and provoke an immune response. This can show up not only as digestive problems, but also as respiratory symptoms, including asthma.

Microbiome Balance. Beneficial gut bacteria support the immune system’s balanced function. If the microbiome is disrupted—such as by frequent courses of antibiotics or poor diet—the immune system becomes more prone to allergic and inflammatory reactions. In children, the microbiome forms during the first years of life, and disruptions during this period increase the risk of developing asthma.

Toxic Load. Daily exposure to household chemicals, pesticides, fumes from building materials, and other pollutants increases baseline inflammation. Children, and people with existing respiratory issues or allergies, are especially sensitive to toxins.

Vitamin and Mineral Deficiency. Proper immune and respiratory function requires certain nutrients. Deficiencies in vitamin D, magnesium, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants weaken defenses and increase asthma severity.

Stress and Recovery. Emotional strain, chronic stress, and fatigue reduce the body’s ability to self-regulate and recover. In these conditions, the immune system more easily switches into “alert mode,” leading to more frequent asthma attacks and reducing the effectiveness of other supportive measures.

Why Asthma Often Begins in Childhood

Asthma in children is quite common, and there are clear reasons for this. In the early years of life, a child’s immune system is just learning to distinguish what is safe for the body and what is not. During this period, the gut microbiota is still developing, and the mucous membranes and other protective barriers remain vulnerable.

A child’s immunity is especially sensitive. Any stress—whether it’s a common cold, contact with household chemicals, or allergens—can lead to inflammation, allergies, or bronchial spasms. When these stresses are combined with additional external factors, the risk of developing asthma increases.

Genetics also play an important role. If the parents have asthma, allergies, or atopic dermatitis, the child’s likelihood of developing similar reactions is higher. However, even with a genetic predisposition, the development of asthma largely depends on the conditions in which the child is raised.

The development of immunity and the microbiome is influenced by the mode of birth and feeding. With natural delivery and breastfeeding, a child receives beneficial bacteria that help establish a healthy microbiota. Caesarean sections and formula feeding can deprive the child of this natural start. Frequent courses of antibiotics in early life can also disrupt the microbiome balance and weaken protective barriers.

The environment matters as well. Children breathe the same air as adults, but due to their lower body weight and immature detoxification systems, they are more sensitive to pollutants, household chemicals, dust, mold, and poor ventilation.

Thus, childhood asthma is most often linked to the immature protective systems of the body and exposure to external stressors. When a child grows up in a supportive environment, with proper care and nutrition, the immune system becomes stronger—which is why many children “outgrow” asthma as they get older.

Asthma Is Not Always Allergic: Other Triggers of Attacks

It’s important to remember that not all asthma is related to allergies. This type is known as non-allergic or non-atopic asthma. Its mechanism is also based on inflammation and airway narrowing, but the immune response is not necessarily triggered by allergens. Some people experience asthma attacks only when exposed to cold air, after exercise, or during viral infections—even if they have never had allergies.

Other triggers for asthma, besides allergens, may include:

• Cold air (especially in winter or with rapid inhalation)
• Intense physical activity
• Viral infections (such as the common cold)
• Polluted air, smoke, or chemical fumes
• Severe stress or sudden emotions

A Functional Approach: How to Treat Asthma

The functional approach goes beyond simply managing symptoms—it focuses on understanding what exactly disrupted the body’s balance. It’s important to identify how genetics, nutrition, the state of the microbiome, and environmental factors interact, in order to find the underlying trigger and address the root cause, not just the symptoms.

Medication. When it comes to treating asthma, most people immediately think of medications and inhalers. These are truly essential, especially during acute attacks. However, if the goal is not just to control attacks but to change the course of the disease, it’s important to search for deeper causes.

Eliminating chronic irritants. Triggers may include dust, mold, household chemicals, hidden food allergens, or an unbalanced diet. Sometimes, simply removing these external triggers can make breathing much easier.

However, as already mentioned, not all asthma attacks are triggered by external allergens. For some people, cold air is the main culprit. In these cases, eliminating obvious irritants helps reduce the overall load on the immune system, but doesn’t remove all risks.

Restoring protective barriers—especially in the gut and respiratory mucosa. Healthy barriers don’t let toxins and allergens through. When these barriers are damaged, the body may start reacting even to harmless substances. A healthy mucosa acts as a reliable boundary, keeping unwanted agents out.

Rebalancing the microbiome is also crucial. Beneficial gut bacteria play a key role in regulating the immune system. If the microbiome is disrupted, immune flexibility decreases, and reactivity increases. Including fermented foods, probiotics, and dietary fiber is a simple and effective step for supporting health.

• One major European study showed that daily probiotic use in children from birth to age five significantly reduced the rates of asthma and allergies, highlighting the microbiome’s role in preventing immune disturbances.
• In addition to fermented foods (yogurt, sauerkraut), don’t forget fiber—it feeds beneficial bacteria and supports their growth.
• Bifidobacteria are especially important as one of the key beneficial bacteria for balanced immune responses.

Supporting detoxification systems. The liver, gut, skin, and airways eliminate toxins every day. If this system is overloaded or doesn’t get the resources it needs, toxins build up and intensify inflammation. The functional approach includes gentle detox support through diet, herbal remedies, and lifestyle changes.

Diet and monitoring reactions. Sometimes asthma worsens due to hidden sensitivities to certain foods, such as dairy or eggs. Even small dietary adjustments can help reduce flare-ups and make asthma easier to manage. Keeping a food and symptom diary helps identify which foods may be aggravating symptoms.

Correcting nutrient deficiencies. All body systems are interconnected. Vitamin D deficiency can increase inflammation, magnesium deficiency can trigger bronchospasms, and lack of omega-3 fatty acids heightens the inflammatory response. That’s why managing asthma is impossible without assessing nutrition and, if necessary, adding supplements.

• Pay attention to vitamin D, especially in winter or when you often feel fatigued. This vitamin plays a crucial role in regulating immune responses and reducing excess inflammation typical of asthma.
• Vitamin A is also important for healthy mucous membranes in the airways and gut. Its deficiency can weaken the body’s barriers and increase sensitivity to allergens.
• Omega-3 fatty acids—especially EPA and DHA—have strong anti-inflammatory properties. They help “calm” the immune system and reduce bronchial reactivity. Main sources include fatty fish, flaxseed oil, and fish oil supplements.
• Magnesium supports muscle relaxation—including bronchial muscles—and can lower the risk of spasms and attacks. It’s also essential for the nervous system and stress resilience. Magnesium deficiency is a hidden cause of increased airway reactivity in asthma.

Stress and sleep. Even if everything else is balanced, ongoing stress and sleep deprivation can keep asthma active. Emotional overload directly affects the immune system, while poor sleep undermines the body’s ability to regulate inflammation. A comprehensive approach must include quality sleep, proper rest, and support for emotional well-being.

Physical activity and breathing exercises. Gentle physical activity, walks in the fresh air, and breathing exercises strengthen the lungs, relieve tension, and reduce airway sensitivity. It’s important to remember that if asthma is triggered by exercise, reducing physical activity is not recommended. On the contrary, regular exercise is beneficial for strengthening the respiratory system. The main focus should be on preparing for exercise, choosing gentle forms of activity, and using medications as prescribed by your doctor if needed.

Вот перевод этих двух разделов на английский язык — в медицинско-популярном стиле, с сохранением всех ключевых смыслов:

When to Seek Medical Attention

Although functional medicine provides a powerful framework for understanding the causes and management of asthma, it is essential to remember that asthma can be dangerous, especially during severe attacks. If you experience difficulty breathing, severe coughing, or a feeling of suffocation, seek medical attention immediately.

Given the risks associated with asthma, it is crucial to use prescribed medications and functional strategies together. This approach not only improves well-being but may, over time, help reduce the need for medications—but any adjustments should always be made under the supervision of a healthcare professional. Asthma is an unpredictable and potentially serious condition.

Remember: your goal is not to replace one approach with another, but to create conditions where your body can recover and better handle external stressors.

Conclusion

Asthma is not just about difficulty breathing; it is a chronic inflammatory disease rooted in increased sensitivity and reactivity of the immune system. That’s why it’s important not only to control symptoms with medication, but also to address the underlying causes of chronic inflammation: optimize your diet, support a healthy microbiome, reduce toxic exposure, and pay attention to sleep and stress management.

A functional approach does not replace medication, but complements standard therapy—helping to reduce the frequency of flare-ups and improve quality of life. Even small steps—keeping a food diary, adjusting your diet, supporting detoxification, taking vitamins and minerals—can make the course of the disease more predictable and make your body more resilient to triggers. Always consult your doctor before changing any aspect of your treatment. Remember: addressing inflammation is a key part of effective asthma control and a step toward a more active, unrestricted life.