6 Asthma Risk factors

What factors seem to predispose an individual to asthma? While asthma can occur without any risk factors, it’s more more likely in individuals with certain risk factors present.

Atopy
Atopy is essentially an allergic hypersensitivity that can affect various parts of the body that don’t come into any contact with allergens. Atopy may include eczema, allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, and even asthma. Some studies suggest that kids with atopic eczema may develop more severe or persistent asthma as adults.

Cigarette Smoke
Several studies have conclusively proven cigarette smoke is linked to an increased risk for asthma. Even secondhand smoke exposure has been shown to increase the development of asthma in early life.

Environment
Environmental factors, like pollution, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, ozone, cold temperatures, and excessive humidity or weather changes, are all known to trigger asthma in high-risk individuals. Studies show that people who cook with gas stoves are more likely to experience wheezing or breathlessness, asthma attacks, and even hay fever, than those who cook with other electric stoves or other non-gas methods.

Gender
It’s unknown why, but childhood asthma occurs more often in boys than in girls. Around age 20, the occurrence of asthma among men and women is about the same. By age 40, there are more females than males with adult asthma.

Family History
It’s believed that roughly three-fifths of all asthma cases are hereditary. According to the CDC, a person is three to six times more likely to develop asthma when they have a parent with the disease.

Indoor Allergens
Indoor allergies can predict who might be at greater risk for asthma. Sources of indoor allergens can include animal proteins, dust mites, insects (like cockroaches), fungi, and mold.

If you suspect you or someone in your family is suffering from asthma, make an appointment for relief with Covenant Allergy and Asthma today!