What are Asthma Risk Factors?

Asthma is a complex disease that can develop from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Some of the most common asthma risk factors include:

1. Genetics: Asthma can run in families, and certain genetic traits can increase your risk of developing the disease.
2. Environmental factors: Exposure to certain allergens and irritants, such as air pollution, cigarette smoke, and pet dander, can trigger asthma symptoms in susceptible individuals.
3. Lifestyle habits: Factors such as obesity, poor diet, and lack of physical activity have been linked to an increased risk of asthma.
4. Occupational exposure: Certain professions, such as hairdressing, farming, and woodworking, have been associated with an increased risk of asthma due to exposure to chemicals and other irritants.
5. Respiratory infections: Infections of the respiratory tract, such as colds and the flu, can trigger asthma symptoms in some individuals.
6. Psychological factors: Stress and anxiety can exacerbate asthma symptoms in some individuals.

What Can I Do to Reduce My Asthma Risk Factors?

While you may not be able to control all of the factors that contribute to asthma risk, there are several steps you can take to reduce your risk of developing the condition. These include:

1. Avoiding asthma triggers: If you know that you are allergic to certain substances or irritants, such as pollen or cigarette smoke, try to avoid them as much as possible.
2. Maintaining a healthy weight: Obesity has been linked to an increased risk of asthma, so maintaining a healthy weight through diet and exercise can help reduce your risk.
3. Eating a healthy diet: A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein can help support overall health and reduce inflammation in the body.
4. Getting regular exercise: Exercise can help improve lung function and reduce inflammation, which can help reduce asthma risk.
5. Managing stress: Stress can exacerbate asthma symptoms, so finding ways to manage stress, such as through meditation or yoga, can be helpful.
6. Quitting smoking: If you smoke, quitting is one of the best things you can do for your respiratory health. It can also help reduce your risk of developing asthma.

How Do Medications Help with Asthma Risk Factors?

There are several types of medications that can be used to help manage asthma risk factors. These include:

1. Inhaled corticosteroids: These medications are used to reduce inflammation in the airways, which can help reduce the frequency and severity of asthma symptoms.
2. Long-acting bronchodilators: These medications are used to open up the airways, making it easier to breathe.
3. Leukotriene modifiers: These medications are used to block the action of leukotrienes, which are chemicals that can cause inflammation in the airways.
4. Immunomodulators: These medications are used to modify the immune system, which can help reduce inflammation and prevent asthma attacks.
5. Allergy medications: These medications, such as antihistamines and decongestants, are used to help manage allergies that can trigger asthma symptoms.

What’s An Asthma Attack?

An asthma attack usually starts when your airways over-react to a trigger, that is, something that makes your symptoms worse. This over-reaction results in airways swelling and narrowing, and producing more mucus. Breathing therefore becomes difficult, beginning with coughing and then progressing to even more difficulty breathing, and in most people, eventually to wheezing – noisy breaths that sound like a whistling or rattling sound in the chest.

An asthma attack is traumatic for all involved. The asthmatic often feels out of control, fearful of participating in physical activity and is often embarrassed about taking medications such as inhalers in front of others. In addition, the sensation of chest tightness and struggling for breath that occurs during an attack is frightening. The story that is seldom told is that of the family members and caregivers who experience helplessness and loss of peace of mind while they wait, on edge, for the next attack, or sit helplessly watching their loved ones struggle for breath during an attack.

What’s An Asthma Attack?

An asthma attack usually starts when your airways over-react to a trigger, that is, something that makes your symptoms worse. This over-reaction results in airways swelling and narrowing, and producing more mucus. Breathing therefore becomes difficult, beginning with coughing and then progressing to even more difficulty breathing, and in most people, eventually to wheezing – noisy breaths that sound like a whistling or rattling sound in the chest.

An asthma attack is traumatic for all involved. The asthmatic often feels out of control, fearful of participating in physical activity and is often embarrassed about taking medications such as inhalers in front of others. In addition, the sensation of chest tightness and struggling for breath that occurs during an attack is frightening. The story that is seldom told is that of the family members and caregivers who experience helplessness and loss of peace of mind while they wait, on edge, for the next attack, or sit helplessly watching their loved ones struggle for breath during an attack.

How Can You Tell If You Have Asthma?

Diagnosing asthma, especially in children younger than 5, is often difficult. Often, doctors will check how well your lungs work, as well as for allergies, to determine if you have asthma. Other things a doctor will generally ask you:

• Do you cough a lot, especially at night?
• Are your breathing difficulties worse after physical activity, or at certain times of the year?
• Do you have chest tightness, wheezing, and/or colds lasting more than 10 days?
• Does anyone in your family have allergies or asthma?

Often, the doctor will also check how well your lungs are working using a device called a spirometer.

Control Is Possible!

Tips for successful Asthma Management:

• Ensure you have an Asthma Action Plan (also called an Asthma Management Plan)
• Take your medicine exactly as your doctor or relevant medical professional tells you to – even when you have no symptoms
• Avoid triggers as much as possible