Asthma is
caused by a combination of complex and incompletely understood environmental
and genetic interactions (Miller & Ho, 2008). These factors influence both
its severity and its responsiveness to treatment thus:
caused by a combination of complex and incompletely understood environmental
and genetic interactions (Miller & Ho, 2008). These factors influence both
its severity and its responsiveness to treatment thus:
·
Environmental:
Many environmental factors have been associated
with asthma’s development and exacerbation including allergens, air pollution,
and other environmental chemicals. Smoking during
pregnancy and
after delivery is associated with a greater risk of asthma-like symptoms. Low air quality from factors such as traffic pollution or high ozone levels, has been associated with both asthma
development and increased asthma severity (Kelly & Fussell, 2011)
Environmental:
Many environmental factors have been associated
with asthma’s development and exacerbation including allergens, air pollution,
and other environmental chemicals. Smoking during
pregnancy and
after delivery is associated with a greater risk of asthma-like symptoms. Low air quality from factors such as traffic pollution or high ozone levels, has been associated with both asthma
development and increased asthma severity (Kelly & Fussell, 2011)
·
Hygiene
Hypothesis: The hygiene hypothesis attempts to explain the increased rates of asthma
worldwide as a direct and unintended result of reduced exposure, during
childhood, to non-pathogenic bacteria and viruses. Exposure to bacterial endotoxin in early childhood may prevent the development of asthma, but exposure
at an older age may provoke broncho-constriction (Bufford & Gern, 2015).
Hygiene
Hypothesis: The hygiene hypothesis attempts to explain the increased rates of asthma
worldwide as a direct and unintended result of reduced exposure, during
childhood, to non-pathogenic bacteria and viruses. Exposure to bacterial endotoxin in early childhood may prevent the development of asthma, but exposure
at an older age may provoke broncho-constriction (Bufford & Gern, 2015).
·
Genetic: Family history is a risk factor for asthma, with
many different genes being implicated. If one identical twin is affected, the
probability of the other having the disease is approximately 25%. Many of these
genes are related to the immune system or modulating inflammation (Elward &
Kurtis, 2010).
Genetic: Family history is a risk factor for asthma, with
many different genes being implicated. If one identical twin is affected, the
probability of the other having the disease is approximately 25%. Many of these
genes are related to the immune system or modulating inflammation (Elward &
Kurtis, 2010).
·
Medical
Conditions: The
strongest risk factor for developing asthma is a history of atopic disease; with asthma occurring at a much greater rate in
those who have either eczema or hay fever may also experience symptoms of asthma (Rao &
Phipatanakul, 2011).
Medical
Conditions: The
strongest risk factor for developing asthma is a history of atopic disease; with asthma occurring at a much greater rate in
those who have either eczema or hay fever may also experience symptoms of asthma (Rao &
Phipatanakul, 2011).
·
Exacerbation: Some individuals will have stable asthma for weeks
or months and then suddenly develop an episode of acute asthma. Different
individuals react to various factors in different ways. Most individuals can
develop severe exacerbation from a number of triggering agents. Home
factors that can lead to exacerbation of asthma include dust, animal dander (especially cat and dog hair), cockroach allergens and mold. Perfumes are a common cause of acute attacks in women and
children. Both viral and bacterial infections of the upper respiratory tract can worsen the disease (Bufford &
Gern, 2015).
Exacerbation: Some individuals will have stable asthma for weeks
or months and then suddenly develop an episode of acute asthma. Different
individuals react to various factors in different ways. Most individuals can
develop severe exacerbation from a number of triggering agents. Home
factors that can lead to exacerbation of asthma include dust, animal dander (especially cat and dog hair), cockroach allergens and mold. Perfumes are a common cause of acute attacks in women and
children. Both viral and bacterial infections of the upper respiratory tract can worsen the disease (Bufford &
Gern, 2015).
