Here are 4 commonly reported triggers of SOB in people with breathing difficulties:
WEATHER
Cold air, humid air, or hot air can all trigger shortness of breath—particularly extremes in temperature.
AIR POLLUTION
Air pollution can be an irritant to the lungs and worsen your breathing, whether it’s dust, pollen, and smog outdoors or fumes from paint and cleaning products indoors.
INFECTIONS
If you have a chronic breathing problem, infections affecting your lungs and airways can be dangerous—even catching a cold can trigger shortness of breath.
CIGARETTE SMOKE
Cigarette smoke contains tar, nicotine, carbon monoxide, and other toxic substances that can irritate and inflame the airways of the lungs. Whether it’s direct or secondhand, cigarette smoke can trigger breathing problems.