What Is Asthma And What Causes It?

Most of us have heard of asthma, even if we do not understand exactly what it is. How much do you know about asthma, the causes of asthma, its symptoms and its treatment? You’re not alone if you discover that you don’t know as much as you thought you did. Here are some facts to help you improve your understanding of asthma.

First, know that asthma can affect anyone, regardless of age, sex, race or other factors. It is most common in children or people with a family history of asthma although it can occur in families with no history and early-onset asthma is also possible.

The causes of asthma We know that asthma is caused my inflammation in the airways of the lungs which leads to the common symptoms of asthma but we do not know exactly what causes this inflammation. We have a good understanding, however, of what types of conditions and circumstances can attribute to or cause a flare-up of asthma or an asthma attack. We call these asthma triggers.

Exercise is one of the most common triggers of asthma and even people with mild asthma can experience symptoms triggered by exercise. However, getting exercise is actually good for your body and your asthma; you just need proper treatment while doing so.

Pollen and certain types of molds are another trigger for people with asthma. During the season of hay fever, many people with asthma need additional treatment and may have trouble going outdoors. Indoor molds can also contribute to asthma flare-ups.

Upper respiratory infections are another common trigger for asthma. If you have a cold, flu or other type respiratory infection, you will likely have an occurrence of asthma symptoms.

Certain foods and certain medicines can also trigger asthma symptoms. These can vary from person to person and can be allergy-related so your doctor can help you determine your triggers and avoid them as much as possible.

Emotions can also affect your asthma. While asthma is not directly related to your nerves or your emotional state, there are certain emotions such as stress or even laughter than can cause or aggravate the symptoms of asthma.

Please note that these things are not the causes of asthma, nor do allergies cause asthma, they just contribute to the condition and often lead to flare-ups or “attacks” as they are often called. If you have asthma, your children could be at a greater risk for getting it too so it’s important to have an understanding of asthma's early warning signs.

Is there a cure for asthma? There is no cure for asthma but there are many treatments available. Advancements in technology and medicine every day are leading us to new treatments and possibly there will be a cure for asthma in the future. But for now, we have to improve our understanding of asthma and settle for the treatment plans our doctors deem best for us.

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