Do you know any of the suggested causes of asthma? While scientists are doing lots of research to determine this, the exact causes of asthma, unfortunately, remain unknown. Asthma impacts the lives of more than 22 million people and some 6 million children.
No matter what the cause of asthma, asthma symptoms will usually include one or more of the following:
Lets take a look at some possible asthma causes.
Theories on the Causes Of Asthma
What exactly leads some people to develop inflammation in their lungs and not others is not yet known. However, one of the popular theories regarding the causes of asthma believes that it is an interplay between your genetics and certain environmental exposures that occur early in life. Scientists have offered a number of theories regarding the causes of asthma.
- Your Immunity and the Hygiene Hypothesis
The hygiene hypothesis suggests that one of the causes of asthma could be our super-clean world. Such extreme cleanliness deprives our immune system of the ability to distinguish between harmless and potentially harmful irritants. The hygiene hypothesis posits that it is exposure to germs that actually prevents asthma. - Genetics- As one of the causes of asthma, there is not anything we can do about this. Either asthma runs in our family or not.
- Gender
Asthma is more common in young boys compared to young girls, until puberty hits. After puberty, asthma becomes more common in girls. But how the hormonal changes that occur during puberty affect asthma is unknown. - Certain Respiratory Infections, Like RSV
While the hygiene hypothesis says exposure to germs is a good thing, some respiratory infections have been shown to increase risk of asthma. - Obesity
Being overweight may lead to increased levels of certain types of cells (and their products) that cause inflammation, such as mast cells. - Vitamin D deficiency
A number of different studies have shown that parts of the world with lower vitamin D intakes have more asthma and that vitamin D has potent anti-inflammatory properties. However, these associations do not necessarily mean that vitamin D is on of the causes of asthma. - Air Pollution
Frequent outdoor exercise in communities with high levels of ozone has been associated with increased asthma rates among school-age children. As a result, some researchers suggest air quality may be associated with the development of asthma. Wile we don't often think about it, indoor air pollution can also make your asthma worse.
Behind all the potential causes of asthma is the pathophysiology of asthma, or the underlying processes that occur in your body and lead to asthma and its complications. No matter which of the causes of asthma have lead to your symptoms, your asthma is the result of inflammation that leads to both hyperresponsiveness of the lungs and inflammation of the lungs.
FAQs- Causes of Asthma
- Can My Asthma Be Treated Even Though There Is No Cure?
- Are Your Other Medications Leading to Worsening Asthma?
- What Is the Buteyko Technique?
- Is Exercise One of the Causes of Asthma?
Learn More About the Causes of Asthma
- Hygiene Hypothesis
- Do Allergies Cause Asthma?
- Five Conditions to Consider With Uncontrolled Asthma
- Asthma Pathophysiology
Sources:
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Accessed: January 22, 2010. Expert Panel Report 3 (EPR3): Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma
