Asthma is a long-term lung disease. In this disease bronchial tubes of lungs get inflamed. This inflammation makes the airways sensitive to allergens present in the environment, such as pollen, smoke, dust, mold, animal dander, or cold air. In response to these allergens, an asthma attack occurs. The muscles around the airways get tighten, the airways lining becomes inflamed, and the airways produce excess mucus, making it difficult for the sufferers to breathe. In such situation, patient should immediately visit the asthma doctor, and get the apt treatment as soon as possible.

What Causes Asthma?

The exact cause of asthma is still unknown, but doctors say that it develops because of genetic and environmental factors. Asthma tends to run in generation, indicating an inherited disease. You are more likely to develop asthma symptoms if your parents have it. You are also likely to have asthma if you have atopy or atopic syndrome i.e. if you are sensitive toward allergies, like hay fever (allergic rhinitis) and atopic eczema. Allergies and asthma often run side by side.

Having respiratory diseases during early childhood can also develop asthma. These diseases can cause swelling in the lungs, and eventually damage lung tissues. This affects lung function in future. Similarly, studies suggest that contact with airborne irritants, allergens and viral infections early in the life increases your risk of developing asthma. Moreover, diet of a pregnant and exposure to smoke or allergens may result in developing asthma in child.

Allergies and asthma

Many a times, allergens trigger the asthma attacks. In order to prevent the asthma attack, the asthma sufferer needs to avoid the exposure to the allergens as much as possible. The most common allergens that trigger asthma attacks are:

–Household dust mites

-Cockroaches

-Pollen

-Mold

-Animal dander

Asthma is more serious condition than allergy. Asthma sufferers should pay special attention over their surroundings, in order to prevent the asthma attacks. The asthma attacks can be life threatening. If you have asthma, then you should keep your asthma pump with you all the time. Also, visit asthma clinic time to time, to keep your doctor informed about your health.