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what causes asthma

by Prof. Royce Tillman Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Asthma triggers
Airborne allergens, such as pollen, dust mites, mold spores, pet dander or particles of cockroach waste. Respiratory infections, such as the common cold. Physical activity. Cold air.
Mar 5, 2022

Symptoms

  • Genetics. Asthma tends to runs in families. ...
  • Allergies. Some people are more likely to develop allergies than others, especially if one of their parents has allergies.
  • Respiratory Infections. As the lungs develop in infancy and early childhood, certain respiratory infections have been shown to cause inflammation and damage the lung tissue.
  • Environment. ...

Causes

Signs of an asthma emergency include:

  • Rapid worsening of shortness of breath or wheezing
  • No improvement even after using a quick-relief inhaler
  • Shortness of breath when you are doing minimal physical activity

Prevention

  • stress
  • tobacco smoke
  • air pollution
  • certain infections, such as influenza
  • certain medicines, such as aspirin
  • cold or stormy weather

Complications

Asthma is a long-term condition affecting children and adults. The air passages in the lungs become narrow due to inflammation and tightening of the muscles around the small airways. This causes asthma symptoms: cough, wheeze, shortness of breath and chest tightness. These symptoms are intermittent and are often worse at night or during exercise.

What are some of the most common causes of asthma?

What are signs that you have asthma?

What can trigger asthma symptoms?

What is asthma and what often causes it?

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What are 5 causes of asthma?

Asthma Causes and TriggersInfections like sinusitis, colds, and the flu.Allergens such as pollens, mold, pet dander, and dust mites.Irritants like strong odors from perfumes or cleaning solutions.Air pollution.Tobacco smoke.Exercise.Cold air or changes in the weather, such as temperature or humidity.More items...•

What is the most common cause of asthma?

Allergies with asthma is a common problem. Eighty percent of people with asthma have allergies to things in the air, like tree, grass, and weed pollens; mold; animal dander; dust mites; and cockroach droppings.

What causes a person to develop asthma?

Contact with allergens, certain irritants, or exposure to viral infections as an infant or in early childhood when the immune system isn't fully mature have been linked to developing asthma. Exposure to certain chemicals and dusts in the workplace may also play a significant role in adult-onset asthma.

What are 3 common triggers of asthma?

The most common asthma triggers include:Allergies (Allergic Asthma) Substances that cause allergies (allergens) can trigger asthma. ... Irritants in the Air. Irritants in the environment can also bring on an asthma episode. ... Other Health Conditions. ... Exercise. ... Weather. ... Feeling and Expressing Strong Emotions. ... Medicines.

What helps asthma go away?

Long-term control medications such as inhaled corticosteroids are the most important medications used to keep asthma under control. These preventive medications treat the airway inflammation that leads to asthma symptoms. Used on a daily basis, these medications can reduce or eliminate asthma flare-ups.

Can asthma go away?

Because asthma is a chronic illness, there's no cure for it, though treatments exist to manage symptoms. The most commonly prescribed treatment is the use of an inhaler (a reliever inhaler to relieve symptoms, a preventer inhaler to prevent them, or a combination inhaler for both).

Can asthma go away with exercise?

In fact, regular physical activity can decrease asthma symptoms by improving your lung health. The key is to do the right kind — and amount — of exercise.

How do they test for asthma?

Spirometry. This is the main test doctors generally use to diagnose asthma in people 5 years or older. To help determine how well your lungs are working (pulmonary function), you take a deep breath and forcefully breathe out (exhale) into a tube connected to a spirometer.

Who is at risk of asthma?

Those who grew up or live in urban areas have a higher risk for asthma. Children and adults who are overweight or obese are at a greater risk of asthma. Although the reasons are unclear, some experts point to low-grade inflammation in the body that occurs with extra weight.

What drink is good for asthma?

Certain herbal teas may help relieve asthma symptoms. Research suggests that ginger tea, green tea, black tea, eucalyptus tea, fennel tea, and licorice tea may reduce inflammation, relax your respiratory muscles, and boost your breathing, among other benefits.

What should I avoid if I have asthma?

Foods To Avoid With AsthmaEggs.Cow's milk.Peanuts.Soy.Wheat.Fish.Shrimp and other shellfish.Tree nuts.

What is the signs of asthma?

Asthma attackswheezing, coughing and chest tightness becoming severe and constant.being too breathless to eat, speak or sleep.breathing faster.a fast heartbeat.drowsiness, confusion, exhaustion or dizziness.blue lips or fingers.fainting.

Who suffers from asthma the most?

Asthma rates are highest in Black adults in the U.S. Asthma is more common in female adults than male adults. Around 9.8% of female adults have asthma, compared to 6.1% of male adults. It is a leading chronic disease in children.

Can you suddenly develop asthma?

Asthma and its symptoms can appear at any point in time. You can develop it later in life even if you have no history of asthma in your childhood. Adult-onset asthma may suddenly occur because of a combination of factors. One common reason for adult asthma is constant exposure to an allergen.

What are the 3 types of asthma?

Types of asthmaDifficult to control asthma.Severe asthma.Occupational asthma.

What drink is good for asthma?

Certain herbal teas may help relieve asthma symptoms. Research suggests that ginger tea, green tea, black tea, eucalyptus tea, fennel tea, and licorice tea may reduce inflammation, relax your respiratory muscles, and boost your breathing, among other benefits.

Overview

Symptoms

Medically reviewed by
Dr. Govind Desai
Symptoms
If you are experiencing new, severe, or persistent symptoms, contact a health care provider.

Symptoms of asthma vary from person to person. There could be sudden outbursts of symptoms. Most common symptoms of asthma are:

  • Dyspnea or difficult breathing
  • Wheezing
  • Chest tightness
  • Persistent coughing, more commonly at night. Most commonly cough with mucus or phlegm

During Asthma attack, the patient presents below symptoms:

  • Very low blood pressure
  • Abnormally rapid breathing
  • Wheezing sounds may accompany both inspiration and expiration or expiration alone

If the person is suffering from asthma for a prolonged period, Respiratory failure, a syndrome when the blood vessels around the air sacs fail to exchange gases of carbon dioxide and oxygen efficiently, may occur. The symptoms of Respiratory failure include:

  • Hyperinflation: Patients with long standing uncontrolled asthma may have a barrel-shaped chest caused by hyperinflation of lungs
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Skin and mucous membrane turning to blue in color
  • Low blood pressure, which could lead to heart attack
  • Oxygen saturation dropping less than 90%

Causes

The causes of asthma are unknown, but it is most probably due to either genetic or environmental factors. Certain factors are known to trigger asthmatic symptoms they are:

  • Allergens like dust mites, animal dander, pollen, molds, cigarette smoke, chemical pollutants, and cold air
  • Sinusitis
  • Extreme emotional responses and physical exercise
  • Medications like aspirin, beta-blockers or NSAIDs
  • Gastro esophageal reflux disease
  • Other factors like dietary insufficiencies in vitamins C and E, and omega-3 fatty acids
  • Foods with sulfites and preservatives may also trigger symptoms

Few factors are associated with the development of asthma, they are

  • Motherhood at a young age
  • Poor maternal nutrition
  • Lack of breastfeeding
  • Premature birth
  • Low birth weight
  • Smoking
  • Overweight

Prevention

While there is no prevention for asthma, the symptoms and asthma attacks can be managed through regular monitoring and treatment.

  • Identify and avoid the triggers - triggers could be exercise, certain foods, pollen
  • Follow medication as prescribed
  • Learn proper use of inhalers - including cleaning the inhalers
  • Carry the inhalers and medicines to workplace/while travelling, to get an immediate relief during the attack
  • Monitor your breathing often. If you suspect breathing difficulty, wheezing or cough, it is recommended to see the doctor

Complications

Uncontrolled long term asthma may lead to:

  • Deterioration of lung function
  • Increase in airway inflammation
  • Interference in daily activities
  • Weakness
  • Hospitalization during severe attacks

Causes

Risk Factors

Complications

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Asthma is a condition in which your airways narrow and swell and may produce extra mucus. This can make breathing difficult and trigger coughing, a whistling sound (wheezing) when you breathe out and shortness of breath. For some people, asthma is a minor nuisance. For others, it can be a major problem that interferes …
See more on mayoclinic.org

Prevention

  • Asthma symptoms vary from person to person. You may have infrequent asthma attacks, have symptoms only at certain times — such as when exercising — or have symptoms all the time. Asthma signs and symptoms include: 1. Shortness of breath 2. Chest tightness or pain 3. Wheezing when exhaling, which is a common sign of asthma in children 4. Trouble sleeping cau…
See more on mayoclinic.org

1.What Causes Asthma? | American Lung Association

Url:https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/asthma/asthma-symptoms-causes-risk-factors/what-causes-asthma

4 hours ago  · Asthma tends to runs in families. Genetics play an important role in causing asthma. If your mom or dad has asthma, then you are more likely to have asthma too. Allergies. Some people are more likely to develop allergies than others, especially if one of their parents has allergies. Certain allergic conditions are linked to people who get asthma.

2.Asthma - Causes and Triggers | NHLBI, NIH

Url:https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/asthma/causes

13 hours ago Cold, flu, bronchitis, and sinus can cause an asthma attack. These respiratory infections that trigger asthma can be viral or bacterial. They're a common cause …

3.What Causes Asthma? 10 Asthma Triggers Explained

Url:https://www.webmd.com/asthma/asthma-triggers

3 hours ago Allergies (Allergic Asthma) Substances that cause allergies (allergens) can trigger asthma. If you inhale something you are allergic to, you may experience asthma symptoms. It is best to avoid or limit contact with known allergens to decrease or prevent asthma episodes. Common allergens that cause allergic asthma include: Dust mites; Cockroach; Pollen; Molds

4.What Triggers or Causes Asthma? | AAFA.org

Url:https://www.aafa.org/asthma-triggers-causes/

24 hours ago Asthma can also lead to serious medical conditions including: Pneumonia and other complications from common infections like the flu Early delivery or the loss of a pregnancy Permanently narrowed bronchial tubes in your lungs Lung collapse Respiratory failure

5.What Causes Airway Inflammation for People with Asthma?

Url:https://asthma.net/causes

17 hours ago  · An overly sensitive immune system makes your airways (bronchial tubes) become inflamed and swollen when you're exposed to certain triggers. Asthma triggers vary from person to person. Common asthma attack triggers include: Pollen, pets, mold and dust mites. Upper respiratory infections.

6.Asthma: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment

Url:https://www.webmd.com/asthma/what-is-asthma/

17 hours ago 1 day ago · Summary. Asthma lung sounds happen when there's inflammation or excess mucus in the airways. Narrowing of the airways can produce a variety of sounds as you inhale or exhale. Some sounds are fairly loud and easy to hear. Others require a stethoscope.

7.Asthma attack - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic

Url:https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/asthma-attack/symptoms-causes/syc-20354268

28 hours ago  · Causes. Childhood asthma causes aren't fully understood. Some factors thought to be involved include: Inherited tendency to develop allergies; Parents with asthma; Some types of airway infections at a very young age; Exposure to environmental factors, such as cigarette smoke or other air pollution

8.Asthma Lung Sounds: Causes, Types, and Treatment

Url:https://www.verywellhealth.com/asthma-lung-sounds-5271863

15 hours ago

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