ASTHMA

 Health professionals do not know exactly what causes asthma, but genetic and environmental factors both seem to play significant roles.

Some factors, such as sensitization to an allergen, may be both causes and triggers. The sections below list some others.

Pregnancy

According to one  study smoking during pregnancy appears to increase the risk of the fetus developing asthma later in life. Some women also experience an aggravation of asthma symptoms while pregnant.

Obesity

One  article from 2014 suggested that there seem to be higher levels of asthma in people with obesity than those without it. The authors note that, in one study, children with obesity who lost weight also saw improvements in their asthma symptoms.

There is now a growing body of evidence suggesting that both conditions involve a chronic inflammatory response, and this could explain the link.

Allergies

Allergies develop when a person’s body becomes sensitized to a specific substance. Once the sensitization has taken place, the person will be susceptible to an allergic reaction each time they come into contact with the substance.

Not every person with asthma has an allergy, but there is often a link. In people with allergic disease, exposure to specific allergens can trigger symptoms.

One 2013  study found that 60–80% of children and young adults with asthma are sensitive to at least one allergen.

Learn more about allergic asthma here  

Smoking tobacco

Cigarette smoking can trigger asthma symptoms, according to the American Lung Association . 

Asthma, even without smoking, can cause damage to the lungs. This can increase the risk of developing various tobacco-related lung conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and it can make symptoms more severe.

Environmental factors

Air pollution, both inside the home and outside of it, can affect the development and triggers of asthma.

Some allergens inside the home include:

• mold
• dust
• animal hair and dander
• fumes from household cleaners and paints
• cockroaches
• feathers

Other triggers in the home and outdoors include : 

• pollen
• air pollution from traffic and other sources
• ground-level ozone

Stress

Stress can give rise to asthma symptoms, but so can several other emotions. Joy, anger, excitement, laughter, crying, and other emotional reactions can all trigger  an asthma attack.

Scientists have also found  evidence to suggest that asthma may be more likely in people with  mental health conditions such as depression.

Others have suggested that long-term stress may lead to epigenetic changes that result in chronic asthma.

Genetic factors

There is  evidence to suggest that asthma runs in families. Recently, scientists have mapped out some of the genetic changes that may play a role in its development.

In some cases, epigenetic changes are responsible. These occur when an environmental factor causes a gene to change.

Hormonal factors

Around  5.5% males and 9.7% of females have asthma. In addition, symptoms may vary according to a female’s reproductive stage and point in the menstrual cycle.

For example, during their reproductive years, symptoms may worsen during menstruation, compared with other times of the month. Doctors call this perimenstrual asthma. During menopause however, asthma symptoms may improve.

Some scientists believe that hormonal activity may impact immune activity, resulting in hypersensitivity in the airways.

People with intermittent asthma may also have symptoms only some of the time. Learn more about intermittent asthma  here .

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