Understanding The Causes And Risk Factors of Asthma

Asthma is a type of long-term lung disease that affects both children and adults. It compromises the functionality and structure of the respiratory tract which results in breathing difficulties.

What causes the airway to be compromised?

As stated before, asthma is closely associated with the compromise of the respiratory tract.

3 main factors cause this:

1.     Inflammation of the respiratory tract

The inflammation of the respiratory tract causes the tract to get narrowed which in turn causes difficulties in breathing. This is also the main factor of bronchial asthma.

2.  Excessive accumulation of mucus

The respiratory tract can also be obstructed by mucus that has been secreted in excess.

3.   Narrowing of the respiratory tract

The respiratory tract can also be narrowed if the muscles that surround the respiratory tract contract more readily. This would then cause a lack of air entering the lungs during inhalation.

Who is at risk of developing asthma?

Certain individuals are more at risk of developing asthma based on several factors:

• The surrounding environment could play a big part in the development of asthma. For example, individuals who work at wood or chemical processing factories, as well as those who live in industrial areas, would leave them exposed to dust and chemicals which makes them more at risk of developing asthma.

• Family history also plays a part. Individuals with asthmatic parents were found to be more at risk of developing asthma.

• Individuals with allergies are more prone to developing asthma.

• Individuals who suffered respiratory tract infections during their childhood are also more likely to develop asthma.

• Being obese or overweight is a risk factor for asthma and leaves individuals more prone to having asthma attacks as well as more severe asthma symptoms.

• Smoking, as many know, has a large number of adverse effects which include damage to the respiratory tract. Individuals who smoke, babies born to mothers who smoked during pregnancy or passive smokers living with smokers are all at high risk of developing asthma.

What are the triggers of asthma?

While the exact asthma causes are yet to be identified, asthma attacks usually occur due to specific triggers that cause the respiratory tract to swell up or be filled with excessive mucus which causes breathing difficulties.

Here are some of the asthma triggers that have been identified:

• Exposure to allergens

• Certain food

• Exercise

• Emotions (e.g., laughing, crying)

• Acid reflux

• Certain medications

• Viral or bacterial infections

• Smoke, dust or mould

• Weather conditions (e.g., cold weather)

How do allergies trigger asthma?

Allergies are one of the main triggers of asthma. Over 80% of asthmatics are allergic to substances found in the air such as pollen, dust and animal dander.

Allergies occur as a result of the body responding abnormally to certain substances. The respiratory tract would therefore get inflamed and narrowed when exposed to certain allergens which would subsequently result in an asthma attack.

If you have uncontrolled asthma, please consult a doctor to find out if you have any allergies. Treatment via medications as well as avoiding allergens can reduce the chances of a severe asthma attack.

Asthma and food

Certain foods are also capable of triggering asthma. Some asthmatics may be allergic to certain food or substances found in them which would cause asthma. Examples of food associated with the symptoms of asthma through allergies include:

• Beans

• Soy

• Milk

• Eggs

• Wheat

• Fish

• Shellfish

Asthma attacks during exercise

Exercise-induced asthma or Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction as the names imply is asthma that is triggered by physical exertions or heavy exercises, which results in the narrowing of the respiratory tract or bronchus.

90% of asthmatics are found to suffer from exercise-induced asthma. However, non-asthmatics may also experience this. This is a common occurrence, especially amongst athletes.

The environmental conditions during exercise such as the presence of cold air or dust as well chlorine allergies (during a swim) are all possible triggers of asthma attacks during exercise.

Individuals suffering from exercise-induced asthma may experience asthma attack symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath during or immediately after exercise. However, these symptoms will usually subside within an hour.

Asthma attacks related to emotions

Emotional outbursts such as loud crying or excessive laughing can also be a trigger for asthma. In addition, emotional distress such as stress or anxiety may also trigger asthma.

This happens because emotions or emotional outbursts can affect the way we breathe. It may cause us to hyperventilate or our chest muscles contract which makes it difficult to breathe.

Acid reflux and asthma

Asthma can also be triggered by acid reflux. This condition occurs possibly as a result of the nerve reflexes narrowing the respiratory tract to prevent stomach acid from entering the lungs.

Studies have indicated that this type of asthma is not associated with any allergies or family history.

If your doctor suspects you have acid reflux-related asthma, a change in diet along with medications may be recommended.

Medications as an asthma trigger

Certain medications such as Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs), Aspirin and beta-blockers (commonly used to treat cardiac diseases and high blood pressure) may cause unwanted side effects on the respiratory system. This could trigger asthma attacks amongst asthmatics.

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How do you identify the triggers for your asthma?

To identify your triggers, you can start by observing your lifestyle and daily routines, from the food you consume to the activities you carry out each day.

You can keep a record of the activities, food or substances which may have caused an asthma attack and this will help you narrow down the possibilities. You can then avoid those triggers to reduce the frequency of an asthma attacks.

Consult your doctor to learn more about your asthma as well as the proper ways to treat and prevent attacks from occurring,

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