Asthma Triggers

Asthma is a commonly found chronic disorder of the airways, which obstructs the breathing of a person. It inflames and narrows the airways which hinders normal breathing, often characterized by a whistling sound, when the person is trying to inhale and exhale. United States alone, has 22 million people suffering from asthma, out of which, almost 6 million are children.

We need to breathe oxygen from the air for our cells to function. The air enters through the nose and goes to the bronchi through the windpipe. The bronchi then sends the oxygen to the lungs, where it merges with the blood and circulates through our body. For a person suffering with asthma, the bronchial tubes become narrow for two reasons, one, because they are entrapped by inflamed muscles and two, because they are blocked by mucus and swelling. This type of asthma attack is called 'bronchoconstriction'. The other aspect of asthma attack is called 'Bronchial Inflammation', which is a result of the swelling of bronchial walls. These walls swell up as a reaction to some irritants and produce mucus.

Asthma Triggers
Asthma is a long-term lung disorder, caused by an interaction of genetic and environmental factors. The factors causing the disorder are also responsible for deciding the severity of the problem.

Environmental Factors
Over the years it has been found that maternal cigarette smoking affects the fetus, in the prenatal stage. Air pollution and high ozone depletion levels have always been a cause of asthma. Childhood asthma often finds its source in air pollution. In children, asthma is often triggered by a common cold. If the child is constantly exposed to irritants such as dust mites, pollen, tobacco smoke, animal dander, deodorants and perfumes, the infection is only likely to aggravate.

Psychological Factors
Especially among adolescents, the social stigma of suffering with asthma becomes hard to deal with. This worsens the condition and often triggers it. Psychological stress and emotional trauma are a few other factors that can be risky for asthma patients.

Genetic Factors
There are about a 100 genes that are related to the cause of asthma. The genetics play an important role in affecting the immune system. It is when genetic variants combine with specific environment, this exposure culminates into asthma.

Hygiene Hypothesis
Researchers have recently deduced that the Western lifestyle has become so used to cleanliness and hygiene, that the children of recent generations cannot stand pollution. This is called as the 'hygiene hypothesis' which has over the years, weakened the immune system in children.

Population Disparities
The inner-cities of America are highly affected with asthma. Asthma is also seen among the people of different ethnicity, born in America. The lung disorder is seen mostly in male children, but it also likely to persist in adult females.

Socioeconomic Factors
Asthma is commonly diagnosed in the low-per capita population. This is attributable to their poor standards of living. Infested with cockroaches, the homes and neighborhoods become an unmanageable source of asthma. These patients cannot receive proper treatment as it is an expensive affair.

Occupational Asthma
Again, the low-capita bracket, that live near industrial areas, are likely to suffer from asthma. Prolonged exposure to the smoke emitted by these industrial areas, has become the infamous trigger for asthma. About 15-23% of asthma sufferers have work-related asthma. The employees of manufacturing units, are one of the most affected lot.

Asthma can be treated through medication. In most cases, asthma can be treated to an extent of 90%, but it cannot be eliminated entirely. It is a long term respiratory disorder. The most effective way of dealing with asthma, is to detect the triggers and avoid exposure to them.