What Is the Main Cause of Asthma?

Introduction

Asthma is a leading cause of lung disease throughout the world. It is a significant noncommunicable disease that is very common among children. It is the narrowing of the airway and causes a combination of coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. To highlight its significance, here is a fact from the World Health Organization — 262 million people in 2019 and caused 455,000 deaths. Most of these casualties are in low and middle-income countries, especially because diagnosis and treatment are a challenge.  

Revival Research Institute carries out asthma clinical trials regularly and is committed to providing people with a solution to potentially manage their lung health. We advise our readers to check out our range of trials and decide what suits them the best before finalizing a treatment strategy.  

 What causes Asthma?

There is no exact cause for it, and scientists are still unable to point out the exact reason. The following are some of the reasons that contribute: 

• Family history: Having a family history can mean you may have a higher chance of it. The role of genetics in asthma puts you three to six times more likely to develop it than someone who does not have a family history. This is especially true if close family members, like your parents or siblings, have it.
• Allergies: Some people naturally have more chances of developing allergies than others, especially if either of their parents is already allergic. Allergies can be aggravated by anything, like dust, pollen, or even sunlight in some cases. The presence of other allergic conditions, such as atopic dermatitis (which is the most common form of eczema) or allergic rhinitis (hay fever), is linked to people who get asthma. Check out Revival Research Institute’s atopic dermatitis clinical trials if you want alternative therapies for this stubborn condition.
• Viral respiratory infections: respiratory issues during infancy and later in childhood cause wheezing. Children who experience viral infections related to their respiratory systems may develop chronic asthma.
• Occupational exposures: If you already don’t have a diagnosis, exposure to certain irritants in the workplace can cause the condition to show up. As a result, for some people, exposure to specks of dust (industrial or wood dust), chemical fumes and vapors, molds, or other irritants can cause asthma to develop for the very first time.
• Smoking: Cigarette smoke irritates the airways, which puts smokers at a higher risk. Along with this, people whose mothers smoke during pregnancy or are exposed to secondhand smoke in the workplace or home also have higher chances of developing this condition.
• Air Pollution: Exposure to the major component of smog (ozone) increases the risk of this condition in manifold ways. People who reside in urban areas or close to factories have a much higher risk compared to people who do not.
• Obesity: Children and adults who have excessive weight or are obese have a higher chance of developing asthma. Although the causes are unknown, some doctors believe that excess weight causes low-grade inflammation in the body. Obese patients frequently require more drugs, have more symptoms, and are less able to control their symptoms than healthy-weight patients.

While there is no exact cause, the above-mentioned factors play a significant role in the development of this disease. Poverty or a lack of healthcare facilities also factor in and contribute significantly to the high prevalence of this condition.

Asthma and smoking correlation

Living with a chronic smoking habit makes your lungs more sensitive than people who do not smoke, and 18% of adults with this condition in the U.S. smoke.   

Cigarette smoking is right up there as a preventable cause of death in the United States. Cigarette smoke causes irritation in the lining of the lungs, resulting in redness, swelling, and more mucus. The lungs have a natural defense mechanism that prevents allergens and germs from getting into your lungs. Cigarette smoke destroys and limits the function of the lung tissue, including the cilia, which breaks down these defenses. The cilia are special cells in the lungs that beat in a continuous wave and remove any dirt or impurity that enters the lungs. Having cells that are not functioning as they should puts people with asthma in a tricky spot because these can cause symptoms and episodes to exacerbate. Also, frequent attacks change the lungs’ structure over time and lead to other, more severe conditions. These can include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which incorporates chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Cigarette smoking is a risk factor for lung cancer. 

 What can you do?

One can take many steps to keep the condition under control. The following are the six steps you can take to manage this condition: 

Step 1: Making the best use of your medical visits 

There are some resources available to assist you in asking the correct questions regarding asthma management and treatment the next time you visit your doctor. 

Step 2: Creating an Effective Management Plan 

One should work closely with their healthcare provider, possibly a pulmonologist, to devise an effective strategy to manage this condition.  

Step 3: Assess and Monitor Your Control 

Common asthma symptoms can include a cough, a tight feeling in your chest, wheezing, activity limitations, and feeling tired. Keeping track of your symptoms will help you stay in control. 

Step 4: Understand Your Medication 

There is a range of medications available to treat asthma, and each person responds differently. Your doctor and healthcare team can easily explain your medications and help establish a medication strategy. 

Step 5: Reducing exposure to triggers 

This is simply to identify the triggers and try to avoid them as much as you can.  

Step 6: Learn effective self-management skills. 

One should always keep an emergency inhaler or medicine ready in case of an unexpected asthma attack.  

Conclusion

Asthma is a leading cause of health concern, especially among children. It is caused by a variety of factors, like exposure to smoke, allergens, or infection, but scientists have yet to pinpoint the exact cause. Healthcare workers are continuously trying to find out its causes and appropriate treatment strategies. 

Revival Research is doing just that by helping participants gain access to advanced novel therapies. Our clinical trials for allergy medicine may help people reduce their symptoms and live a comfortable life free from this condition’s debilitating symptoms. 

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