|
Asthmatics and
non-asthmatics alike strive to determine what causes asthma. This is particularly true due to
the widespread nature of asthma -- if you yourself do not have asthma, it is more than likely that
you know someone who does. However, asthma is very intrusive to those spending their lives
with the asthmatic as a result of the significant number of asthma precautions that must be used to
prevent asthma
attacks.
Coping with asthma can be
very difficult. Not only is this condition pervasive and, usually, lifelong, asthma
negatively affects the most fundamental body function we have -- breathing! As a result,
allergy induced asthma attacks, as well as exercise induced asthma, are daily events that lead to
asthma coughing, asthma wheezing, and other asthma breathing issues. Obviously, then,
determining what causes asthma is vital to restoring normalcy to the lives of those with
asthma.
As a threshold matter to
understanding what causes asthma, certain distinctions must be made. Primarily, "asthma
triggers" must be differentiated from "asthma causes."
Asthma "triggers" are not
"asthma causes." Instead, a triggering of asthma is anything that starts or aggravates an
asthma attack. It is important to realize, however, that these "triggers" do not cause
asthma. The most common asthma trigger is cigarette smoke, which starts an asthma attack
relatively easily. However, that smoke did not "cause" the asthma. These are usually
easy to identify.
On the other hand, what
causes asthma is more
mysterious. Research has shown, however, the asthma, in large part, is hereditary.
Despite this fact, asthmatic parents need not be overly concerned about asthma being passed to
their children. With that said, child asthma is far more prevalent with parents that
smoke. Moreover, expecting mothers that smoke while pregnant will undoubtedly bear asthmatic
children since the smoke stunts the growth of the air passages of the child.
Other things that cause
asthma are allergies - allergy induced asthma. These allergies vary but are primarily related
to dust, pet dander, mold and other polluted environments.
There are several
precautions that be taken in treating allergy induced asthma. The first of these preventative
measures is to avoid cigarette smoke. Obviously, that means if you smoke, you need to quit
smoking. As you are no doubt aware, second hand smoke can also trigger an asthma attack so
you should have your friends and family quit smoking as well.
Next, take control of your
home environment as the condition of your home can have a direct impact on whether you have an
asthma attack. Dust is a leading asthma trigger. As a result, you should try to vacuum
your house at least twice a week. Additionally, you should dust your house very
frequently. However, do not use a feather duster. Instead, use a wet, warm cloth so
that the dust particles are actually removed and not simply distributed to other sections of your
residence.
Determining what
causes asthma is
important to learning how to deal with symptoms of asthma.
|