Asthma may be aggravated by drainage of mucus into the nose, throat and bronchial tubes. Symptoms of sinusitis include wheezing, postnasal drip, nighttime cough and enlarged lymph nodes. Adolescents and adults may have headaches and sinus pressure or pain. Tobacco smoke, whether directly or passively inhaled, has harmful effects on the airways and is especially irritating for adults and children with asthma. Wood smoke from wood-burning heating stoves and fireplaces can be extremely irritating to asthmatics because of the release of chemicals such as sulfur dioxide.
Exercise also can trigger an asthma attack.
It is estimated that 85 percent of allergic asthmatics have symptoms of wheezing following exercise. Inhaled cool and dry air seems to be a strong asthma trigger. Long-term strenuous activities such as long distance running, are most likely to induce asthma, and swimming is the least likely. Emotional anxiety and nervous stress can cause fatigue, which may affect the immune system and increase asthma symptoms or aggravate an attack. These reactions are considered to be more of an effect than a cause.