Causes of ASTHMA

Causes of ASTHMA:

Asthma is a persistent problem causing difficulties in breathing, swelling and the contraction of the airways. There are certain factors which aggravate the effects of Asthma and these factors are known as ‘triggers’. Physiological factors of each human being differs from other, same is the case in coping against the triggers of Asthma that the factors may vary from individual to individual an thus finding out the appropriate steps to counter these triggers.

IDENTIFYING AND COPING AGAINST THE ASTHMA TRIGGERS:
Asthma can cause long-lasting effects on the individual so one must try to figure what actually causes the Asthma triggers? Let’s say, if the indicators are caused at home, something related to environment might be involved and if the symptoms are caused due to weather changes or such geological factors, an allergic environment might be the cause.
As the recent development in the medical field, Asthma triggers can also be predicted by using certain blood tests or skin test which might provide some useful knowledge about the probable indication of Asthma, and once the triggers are identified, what strategies should one adopt in order to counter these triggers? Let’s discuss some options which might be important;
• The best approach is to completely refrain from the trigger.
• As avoiding the trigger may be difficult in some cases, one should at least restrict the vulnerability of it.
• If the subjection of triggers can be predicted using any respective tests, contact a health provider for the extra quantity of medicine before the trigger is activated.
• Immunotherapy can also play a vital role against the allergic triggers.
Internal Asthma Triggers:
Allergens are those materials which cause sensitive reaction and are the most common triggers of Asthma found in human body. Asthma can also cause change in the behavior. So what are those internal factors which significantly cause Asthma? Some of them are;
• Dust mites.
• Look out for containers in your home.
• Animal skin, feathers or saliva which may be disgusting and can cause allergic reactions.
• Cockroaches and other insects.
Most of the internal factors are triggered from the bedroom of the affected person, so special attention should be paid as the individual spends most of his time in the room and well, one could say that it is the birthplace of internal factors. Although, effective measures should be taken all around the house to ensure that the internal factors are at least minimized or if possible, avoid it completely.
Dust Mites:
These are microscopic living things that are found in almost every household. They show contrasting behavior as they tend to circumvent light and consume humidity from the environment. Mites can be found in almost every household accessories ranging from sofas, beds, or carpets.
So, what effective measures can be taken into consideration in order to minimize the effect of mites? Let’s go through some of the points which give us a brief idea,
• Since mites are attracted to carpets having high humidity (due to woven material), one should try to get rid of carpets from the bedroom.
• Children toys are exposed to mites so make sure that you take appropriate measures to clean them once in a weak at least or try to reduce the number of toys.
• Mites are attracted to humidity. You should try to control the humidity by opening windows and using air conditioner to eliminate maximum number of mites.
• Make sure that your pillows and beddings are free from mites and ensure them to wash at least once in a week as this is the main source of humidity for mites.
Molds:
Molds can be an effective factor in triggering the presence of allergic rhinitis in patients. Molds are allergic fungus which is found in areas such air conditioner passage, moist basements, broken sinks or water traps. These areas are considered as the favorite places for the growth of molds, so one must ensure that these places are kept clean and are in acceptable condition.
So what strategies should be adapted to counter against molds? Molds are likely to be more effective in areas where humidity is high, so one should take adequate measures to lower the humidity and to cease any further growth. Examples might include open water and constant dampness around the house while one could also adopt a particular measure against the risk of leaked pipes, poor sanitary system, removing woven materials that are exposed to humidity and the moist areas.
Mold flourish on soap film that are largely found on tiles, sinks or grout and it could be an alarming sign for the allergic patient. These should be cleaned with bleach solution on regular basis as the individual is continuously in contact with these areas.
Animal Danders:
Animal dander is composed of tiny, even microscopic, flecks of skin shed by common house pets like cats, dogs, rodents, birds and other animals with fur or feathers as it causes reactions to those people who are generally allergic to this trigger. Asthma can be triggered by the presence of protein, saliva and urine of pet animals. Although, the level of allergic factors differs between the animals, as the allergies caused by the protein in cats are found in saliva and skin glands. It is not necessary that short-haired cats are less allergic or furless cat’s causes the same allergens as the furred cats.
Similarly, warm blooded animals can also triggers factors of Asthma but animals with fur or furless, certain reptiles, turtles or any sea animal hardly causes allergy but the coating of fish food under the fish tank kept at home are the best source of food for the dust mites.
Are there any measures to counter these symptoms? There’s always a solution to a problem but one must willing to work on it.
As the allergic person is always in contact with the pet, and sadly it triggers symptoms for Asthma, one should try to get rid of the animal out of the house and after that, effective cleaning procedures should be adapted to clean carpets, curtains and other critical areas. One must keep in mind that limiting the pet in a certain area would definitely not improve anything as some symptoms could travel through air or even clothing when the individual comes into contact with the pet. In some cases, this strategy could take some time as the allergy might have strong characteristics and might require some time to fully show the non-existence of the allergic symptoms.
Cockroaches:
Cockroaches are the basic sign that shows the presence of allergic factors which might trigger the Asthma symptoms as the cockroach’s excrement contains allergic factors causing Asthma symptoms. Cockroaches are often found in warm atmosphere with relatively convenient supply of food and water. Unexpectedly, no specific measures are taken in order to control the growth of cockroaches, so the question now lies what should be done in order to cope against the rapidly increase growth of cockroaches?
• One the easiest and relatively easy method is to use traps and try to poison them.
• Making sure that the garbage and trash can are always clean.
• Cockroaches feed on the remaining of dishes and utensils used in cooking, make sure you clean them right after the use.
• Leaked drainage and tap, which are the basic water source for cockroaches.
Air Filtering Devices:
These devices are used to reduce indoor allergens and it can be used in a room or area. These range from High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters, automatic filters or any other electronic filters. Although, these filters are relatively expensive for the general house hold consumption, but it has been proved scientifically that it actually enhance allergic symptoms.
As some filters contain ozone which may be allergic for some people and these filters have been declared not for safe and environment allergic.
So, which air filters are best to use and which are actually scientifically proved to lower the symptoms?
• Pollens and animal danders could play a significant role in causing asthma, these needs to be removed and most filters are able to respond it well, but if the room is continuously used by pets, carpets, furniture, open window and people, the effect of air filters might be minimum.
• On the other side, if a room has no carpet, furniture, closed windows and no pets, an air filter might improve its quality and efficiency.
Certain air filters can be used to reduce the allergens symptoms like a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filtration technology and a double thickness bag can significantly help to reduce the allergic symptoms.
Controlling Other Asthma Triggers:
Respiratory Infections:
Respiratory infection is an infection that may impede with normal breathing. It begins as a viral infection in the nose, windpipe, or lungs and if the infection isn’t treated on time, it can spread to the entire respiratory system ultimately causing Asthma.
In order to reduce the risk involved, an affected person with Asthma should consider the following points;
• As soon as the trigger for infection is noted, you should call the health provider.
• Make sure you always clean and should avoid contacting with the person affected.
• Use the prescribed treatments to ensure the best results for the cause.
• Should ensure proper vaccination twice in the year in order to be on the safe side.
Medicines:
Do you know what your daily medicine dose is for? The medicine dose could also affect and trigger symptoms for Asthma. In other words, certain anti-inflammatory drugs could not suit some persons and cause a serious attack.
External Allergens:
Some individuals are more likely to be affected because of allergy to pollen or other plant material and what are those factors which actually trigger Asthma symptoms?

• Individual affected should try to stay inside the house as much as he can and especially in those seasons when their Asthma symptoms are at their peak point.
• Tactics might include, using air conditioner if possible and always keep the windows closed in spring seasons. Individuals should try to avoid the outdoor activities and as the air could trigger the symptoms of Asthma.
  Irritants:
  Irritants are the substances that cause inflammation slightly or other discomfort to the body and it can’t trigger symptoms of Asthma. It can be internal or external and includes;
  • A person which Asthma should definitely not smoke as it is the main trigger of Asthma and he should avoid passive smoking as well.
  • He should avoid perfumes and aerosol sprays as much as he can.
  • Any smoke related place like camp fires, house fire should be avoided.
  • Exposure to outdoor environment should be avoided as it involves polluted air, car exhaust and toxic waste fumes.
  Chemical Waste:
  Toxic waste of factories and industries causes about 15% of Asthma which the affected person should avoid at any cost and if the chemicals are involved at the workplace of the person, he should consult the health care to ensure health first over his job.
  Perimenstrual Asthma:
  Women’s are also affected by the symptoms of Asthma, typically during their menstrual period and according to the statistics, 20 to 40 percent women’s have seen worse effects of Asthma just before the menstrual period.
  Although, following strategies can be applied to counter the problems;
  • Use an inhaler where necessary and make sure to overcome the major triggers of symptoms.
  • Use of a leukotriene modifier
  • Certain women’s are allergic to anti-inflammatory drugs and they should avoid it where possible.
  Physical Activity:
  One may argue that physical exercise also triggers symptoms for Asthma but you just cannot avoid exercise, as it help to improves the cardiovascular system and may lower the reactiveness to asthma triggers. Is physical activity is the best answer to fight against asthma? Probably yes but, one should
  • Use albuterol inhaler before starting an exercise.
  • Don’t be in a rush; take some time to regain strength start a new exercise with ease.
  • Warm up is an essential part of every physical exercise and an asthmatic should ensure proper warm up before starting an exercise.
  Climate:
  Climate also plays a vital role in triggering symptoms of Asthma as some individuals are readily affected by ozone areas, hot sunny day. Sunny day may mean increased retaliation to ozone and as we discussed above, some individuals are affected by ozone presence and it might trigger asthma symptoms. What measures should be adapted in order to avoid these climate triggers?
• Asthmatics should avoid outdoor activities in these circumstances and should contact the health provider for any extra dose pertaining to the environment.