Causes for Asthma
Asthma has no single cause. It is caused by multiple factors, which can be divided into two groups:
01 External
02 Internal
Asthma is caused and maintained by more than one of the following causes:
- Genetic or hereditary cause
- Environmental factors (pollution, pollen, etc) - Systemic diseases
Asthma has a tendency to recur and get chronic. It is often observed to be a lifelong disease like diabetes or high blood pressure.
One or more of the above factors lead to altered immunity which eventually leads to chronic asthma. It may be noted that the genetic tendency for asthma forms soil, leading to susceptibility to be affected by other external or internal trigger factors.
Allergens Causing Asthma:
- Pollens
- Air pollutants
- Smoking and second-hand smoking
- Respiratory infections
- Common cold, Sinusitis
- Exercise, physical exertion
- Cold air
- Medications: Aspirin, NSAID, Beta blockers etc.
- GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) Read more on Gerd
The list can be exhaustive though each person may have a different individual or a combination of triggering factors.
Asthma Risk Factors:
The following factors increase your chances of developing Asthma.
- Urban / Industrial areas where the exposure to environmental pollutants is more.
- Work Environment - Exposure to chemicals, dust, industrial waste.
- Heredity - Have a history of either parents or family members suffering from Asthma.
- Childhood - History of recurrent respiratory tract infections, low birth weight.
- GERD