Common Asthma Causes
Various different things may cause asthma in children and also in adults. Some causes are common for all asthmatics with the condition while others are more personal or specific, affecting only a some individual or another.
Basically, asthma is caused by genetic (relating to genes or heredity) and environmental factors (Relating to the natural world and the impact of human activity on its condition). Some of those found to cause asthma, both genetic and environmental, are not confirmed by research (while ongoing) but some are confirmed indefinitely.
Among the genes there are several genes that are linked with asthma. Mostly they are related to the immune system while some are related to modulating (exert a modifying or controlling influence on -) inflammation. But then again, not all the researches made regarding these genes showed consistent results among every populations. Therefore,more studies and research are needed to figure the complex interactions to find what exactly causes asthma.
Main impression that experts have is that, asthma is basically a collection of several conditions and that is the basic reason for the differences in asthma results. Some genetic difference may be associated with childhood asthma and so on and so forth.
Environmental factors, meanwhile, are the most common suspects for asthma in children. Leading the most common is cigarette smoking, especially maternal (of or relating to a mother, esp. during pregnancy or shortly after childbirth) smoking. Mothers who smoke during pregnancy may cause their unborn children to suffer from wheezing, breathing difficulties, and respiratory infections cause of their smoking.
Subsequent environmental factor that may also cause asthma is the exposure to air pollutants. Children with asthma are generally associated with this. Researches studies have showed that childhood asthma might be affected by exposure to outside air pollutants.
There are also many other environmental factors that are associated with the causes of asthma,like the viral infection in the respiratory; delivery via the cesarean (the delivery of a baby by surgical incision through the abdominal wall and uterus) section, which may cause changes in the immune system; psychological stress; and improper use of antibiotics and as well as other medications.
Other genetic factors that cause asthma only become prevalent when combined with specific environmental factors. Otherwise, they cannot be considered serious risks for asthma development and the measure of the new cases of a asthma in a population;and the number of people who have asthma.
Allergens – substance that causes an allergic reaction
Allergens are substance that asthma patients are allergic to and should not be exposed to because they may encourage asthma attacks. Asthma caused by allergens are normally patient-specific – meaning not all triggers have the same effect on all asthmatic patients. Some allergens trigger a different effect then others on the lungs, thus cause a different episode.
A asthma patient must know what he/she is allergic to because exposure to such will often activate the signs of asthma. Examples of some allergens are dust mites, pollens, molds, insect parts, foods, pets, work-related agents, and additives among several others.
It must be pointed out, however, that not all asthmatics are allergic to something.
- According to WHO estimates, 235 million people suffer from asthma.
- Asthma is the most common chronic disease among children.
- Asthma is not just a public health problem for high income countries: it occurs in all countries regardless of level of development. Over 80% of asthma deaths occurs in low and lower-middle income countries.
- Asthma is under-diagnosed and under-treated, creating a substantial burden to individuals and families and possibly restricting individuals’ activities for a lifetime.
- The strongest risk factors for developing asthma are inhaled substances and particles that may provoke allergic reactions or irritate the airways.
- Medication can control asthma. Avoiding asthma triggers can also reduce the severity of asthma.
- Appropriate management of asthma can enable people to enjoy a good quality of life.
Therefore,PREVENTION IS BETTER THEN CURE-controlling and managing ASTHMA is the main key factor under the ASTHMA causes.Asthma is manageable and controllable-so act now and live a normal life.