Asthma Risk Factors – Way to Identify and Avoid Them
Various asthma
risk factors are likely to develop an asthma attack, so they should be
identified beforehand and you should avoid them as far as possible. You
should keep in
mind that some of the risk factors cannot be avoided such as family
history and age but
some can be avoided such as eating specific foods and smoking.
The symptoms of asthma attacks are found more commonly in senior
citizens, adults in
their 30s and young children aged about 5 years. The severe symptoms are
quite capable
of interrupting life’s normal routine and entailing the use of extra
quick relief medication
in an attempt to breathe normally. Some of the asthma risk factors
The asthma risk factors affecting your health includes a family history
of asthma, a
personal history of allergies, low birth weight and the use of
antibiotics in the first
year of life. These are some of the factors that cannot be avoided. The
factors that can
be controlled are cigarette smoking, exposure to other kinds of
second-hand smoke,
low levels of vitamin D, eating lots of fast or junk food, obesity and
regular use of
acetaminophen.
Those suffering from Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) and
Occupational
Asthma should take extra care to prevent themselves from asthma attacks.
Occupational
Asthma tends to develop in those who are constantly exposed to chemicals
and other
substances in their workplace.
It is seen that Childhood Asthma takes place more frequently in boys
than in girls. It can
be due to the fact that the airway size of a boy is smaller than the
girl’s and the size of
their airways become equal when they are about 20 years old.
Another risk factor is Airway Hyperreactivity. In case of asthma, the
hyperactive airway
becomes inflamed when asthma triggers like cold air and allergens come
into contact
with it. Though, all individuals with hyperreactive airway are not
victims of asthma. It is
often seen that allergies are accompanied by asthma. The other indoor
allergens comprise
of dust mites, fungi, cockroaches and animal, especially dog and cat
allergens. Studies
have confirmed that cigarette smoking have led to increased chances of
developing
asthma, especially in adolescents and infants whose mothers are addicted
to smoking.
If you have a family history of asthma, you are three times likely to
develop asthma
than the ones who have not inherited such genetic make-up. Allergic
hypersensitivity
or atopy affects various body parts which don’t come into contact with
allergens. Atopy
can comprise of asthma, allergic conjunctivitis, allergic rhinitis and
atopic dermatitis or
eczema. It has been found that majority of children suffering from
eczema may develop
severe asthma.
Obesity also plays a role in developing asthma in over-weight adults.
Studies reveal that
this risk factor might be more pronounced for non-allergic asthma.
Environmental factors
like sulphur dioxide, cold temperatures, pollution, nitrogen oxide, high
humidity and
ozone can trigger asthma in vulnerable individuals. Indoor air pollution
such as mould,
cigarette smoke and toxic fumes from paints and household cleaners are
likely to be the
source of asthma and allergic reactions.
Once the personal asthma risk factors are determined, you need to
incorporate few
lifestyle changes and decide the factors that can be controlled by you.
To prevent the
symptoms of asthma, it is very important for you to work on the factors
that can be
avoided.
There are also some protective risk factors for asthma that help in
decreasing the chances
of developing asthma such as large family size, intake of omega-3 fatty
acids usually
found in fish, intake of vegetables and fruits and breastfeeding the
baby. Attendance at
day-care and community resources like opportunities for economic
development also
contributes in reducing the chances of asthma attacks.
Knowledge about these asthma risk factors will surely make you more
aware and help
you in controlling and even preventing asthma.
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