Asthma Causes

Asthma Causes

There is no exact cause of asthma. Instead, medical professionals believe that asthma is a caused by a number of different factors, some of which can be controlled and some of which cannot such as family history and genetics. Individuals born to asthmatic parents and those who contracted a respiratory infection in childhood may have an increased risk to developing the condition.

Environmental factors of asthma include exposure to certain irritants and allergens like dust, pet dander and smoke. In addition, our sophisticated hygiene practices such as the use of antibacterial soaps may contribute to the development of asthma. While our vigilant sanitation practices have clearly reduced incidence of numerous communicable diseases, some researchers believe that these health behaviors have prevented our immune systems from building up the necessary responses to respiratory infections which can produce conditions like asthma

The risk factors for developing asthma are largely associated with the alleged causes. Having allergies, experiencing frequent bouts of wheezing and being exposed to certain environmental pollutants are the most prominent risk. Among children, more boys develop asthma than girls but among adults, more women than men develop the condition. It is still unclear why these gender discrepancies exist.

The top 15 environmental pollutants that contribute to asthma are:

• Air pollution
• Tobacco smoke
• House dust mites
• Grass pollen
• Mold
• Pet dander
• Perfumes, cologne and perfumed products
• Household cleaners
• Air refreshers
• Oil-based paint
• Hair products like hair sprays and hair gels
• Household paper products like toilet paper, paper towels and tissues
• Sulfites
• Chlorine
• Cold weather