Breathing problems can be minor, like a stuffy nose, or they can indicate a more severe condition such as asthma, pneumonia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Allergies are very common in the United States, often being triggered by a large number of external causes.

In many cases, people with severe allergies also have asthma and the former can make symptoms of the latter much worse. Here are some of the potential airborne reasons why you may notice symptoms of breathing problems:

1. Tobacco smoke
Cigarette smoking causes the most COPD cases and is the leading cause for most lung cancer cases. In the case of tobacco smoke, not only is the initial person inhaling affected, but second hand smokers can also become prone to breathing problems.

2. Dust mites
Dust mites are one of the many allergies that people can suffer from. A dust mite allergy can cause coughing and wheezing, and act as an asthma trigger, which results in damage to the DNA in your lungs.

3. Pollen or outdoor allergens
Airborne allergens including pollen can result in shortness of breath. This is because the body’s immune system overreacts to a harmless allergen, which ultimately causes allergy like symptoms, one of which is shortness of breath.

4. Diesel exhaust
Inhaling fumes from the diesel exhaust can cause irritation in the lungs and if continued for an extended period of time, can lead to severe health problems. Research has shown that in areas where there is greater exposure to fumes, there is a higher percentage of high risk individuals being hospitalized with lung-related problems.

5. Animal fur or dander
People that are allergic to animals often find it difficult to breathe if they are exposed to them. The exposure can cause an automatic decrease in lung functioning and can make any existing allergy symptoms much worse.

If you are often subject to breathing problems triggered by any of the above, it is important that you have a prevention plan in place. The best prevention method is to identify what it is that you are allergic to and ensure you stay away from it. If your allergies become really bad, speak to your family physician and they can prescribe you with helpful medications.