Asthma Conditions

Asthma
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Asthma
Causes
Asthma is a long-term condition affecting the airways in an individual’s lungs (NHLBI, 2020). Asthma can affect people of different ages, but it often starts in childhood. The cause of asthma is unknown. However, existing research has shown that the condition results from having an immune system that responds strongly to substances in the airways. The way the immune system of an individual with asthma responds when exposed to an allergen is through inflammation. Inflammation causes the individual’s airways to swell, which narrows air passage making it hard to breathe (NHLBI, 2020).
Risk Factors
Risk factors associated with asthma include the environment, occupation, sex, race and ethnicity, family health history, and medical conditions (NHLBI, 2020). In the environment or occupation, major risk factors include passive smoking, exposure to microbes, exposure to chemical irritants, industrial dust, and poor air quality due to pollution. Regarding family health history, those with relatives who have asthma are likely to bear children with the condition. In such a case, this is unavoidable and can only be solved by early identification. Studies have shown that Puerto Ricans and African Americans are at a higher risk compared to people of other races when it comes to race and ethnicity. Concerning sex, there are more boys than girls who have asthma. The kinds of medical conditions that pose major risk factors include obesity, allergies, wheezing, and respiratory infections (NHLBI, 2020).
Screening and Prevention
A proven method of preventing asthma has not yet been established (NHLBI, 2020). Also, there is routine screening involved when it comes to the condition. However, doctors recommend certain risk factors that individuals with the condition should avo...