Table 3 Summary of all symptom triggers
From: Environmental triggers of COPD symptoms: a cross sectional survey
| Percent (n) of all respondents (n = 145) who answered yes to: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Activity or exposure | “Breathing was bothered” or “it was harder to breathe” | Took actiona in response to exposure/activity |
| Having a respiratory infection or cold | 75 (108) | 81 (118) |
| Spending time in the hot weather or humidity | 81 (117) | 87 (126) |
| Dusty activities like sweeping, wood working, raking, or using fertilizers | 64 % (93) | 82 (119) |
| Shoveling or clearing snow off your car | 61 % (88) | 76 (110) |
| Increase in physical activity | 72 (105) | 77 (111) |
| Spending time in the cold air or in cold weather | 67 (97) | 75 (108) |
| Mowing or trimming the lawn or using snow blower | 58 % (84) | 73 (106) |
| Suffering from allergies | 48 (70) | 57 (82) |
| Exercising | 63 (91) | 67 (97) |
| Smoking of tobacco products (cigarettes, pipes, cigars or other) | 57 % (82) | 74 (107) |
| Other yard work or gardening | 48 % (71) | 66 (96) |
| Paint thinners and solvents | 43 % (62) | 62 (90) |
| Suffering from increased stress or intense emotions | 50 (72) | 56 (81) |
| Bug/Insect spray | 39 % (56) | 52 (76) |
| Use of a wood smoke fire (pellet stove, woodstove, campfire, etc.) | 45 % (65) | 60 (87) |
| Car or truck exhaust | 46 % (67) | 58 (84) |
| Having a non-respiratory virus (i.e., stomach bug, flu) | 25 (36) | 36 (52) |
| Perfumes, colognes or body sprays | 45 % (65) | 56 (81) |
| Sweeping (inside or outside) | 48 % (70) | 61 (89) |
| Vacuuming | 47 % (68) | 61 (88)_ |
| Household cleaning products (cleaners, waxes, polishes) | 48 % (69) | 60 (87) |
| Scented candles or incense | 40 % (58)s | 54 (79) |
| Hair spray or hair gel or hair mousse | 38 % (55) | 50 (72) |
| Cleaning with cleaning supplies (cleaners, waxes, and polishes) | 45 % (65) | 61 (88) |
| Having a sinus infection | 39 (57) | 48 (69) |
| Dusting | 41 % (60) | 57 (82) |
| Glues or epoxy (for example during hobbies or art class) | 26 % (37) | 41 (59) |
| Animals or pets | 19 % (28) | 34 (49) |
| Barbequing, frying or sautéing food | 23 % (34) | 37 (54) |
| Nail polish or nail polish remover | 28 % (42) | 39 (57) |
| Swimming or around an indoor or outdoor pool | 28 % (41) | 42 (61) |
| Paint (for example hobbies or art class) or white out | 32 % (47) | 47 (68) |
| Air fresheners (Plug in Wall dispensers, sprays, etc.) | 32 % (46) | 44 (64) |
| Furniture spray or polish | 32 % (47) | 45 (65) |
| Filling the car with gas or diesel fuel | 23 % (34) | 34 (50) |
| Scented laundry products (detergents, laundry softeners or drier sheets) | 20 % (29) | 30 (44) |
| Cooking with a gas stove | 12 % (17) | 25 (36) |
| Spray deodorant | 23 % (33) | 35 (51) |
| Picking up or wearing dry cleaning | 6 % (9) | 19 (27) |
| Writing or drawing with felt tipped markers or highlighters | 12 % (18) | 21 (31) |
| Hand sanitizers (liquid, gel, wipes) | 10 % (15) | 19 (27) |
| Cosmetics | 10 % (14) | 17 (25) |
| Copier machine or printer | 8 % (11) | 17 (24) |