The Risks of Being an Asthmatic

The Risks of Being an Asthmatic

What is Asthma? Asthma is a lung disease that makes it harder to move air in and out of your lungs. Asthma cannot be cured, it is chronic, but it can be managed so that you can live a normal healthy life.

One of the most common risk factors for people developing asthma is having a parent with asthma. People who have a parent that has asthma are three to six times more likely to develop it themselves than a person that does not have a parent with asthma.

Some other risks for developing asthma are having a severe respiratory infection as a child or having allergies. Respiratory problems during infancy and childhood can cause wheezing. Some children who have had viral respiratory infections at a young age go on to develop chronic asthma. If your child has an allergic condition such as atopic dermatitis (eczema) or allergic rhinitis (hay fever) they are at risk for developing asthma.

Occupational exposures and air pollution are two other risk factors for developing asthma. In the workplace exposures to certain elements can cause asthma symptoms. Certain dust, molds, chemical fumes and vapors can cause asthma to flair up for the very first time. Its best to make sure you are wearing the proper protective gear when working in these conditions. Exposure to Ozone, which is the main component of smog raises the risk for asthma. Children and adults that grew up or live in urban areas around factories and plants where the smog is worse have a higher risk for developing asthma.

Other Risks Factors Associated With Developing Asthma

The final two risk factors for developing asthma are smoking and obesity. Smokers have a higher risk of asthma compared to non-smokers. Cigarette smoke irritates the airways causing inflammation which makes it harder to breathe. Children’s whose mothers smoked while they were pregnant or where around secondhand smoke during pregnancy are more likely to develop asthma. Adults and children who are overweight have a greater risk of developing asthma. People who are overweight often suffer worse symptoms, are less able to control asthma and use more medication than a patient in the healthy weight range.

A variety of medication along with regular healthcare and an action plan are important parts of your treatment to help control your asthma, so talk to your doctor today.

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