In the UK, as many as one in five households have someone living with asthma. This makes it one of the most common health issues affecting wellness across the country. While no-one is entirely sure what causes asthma, you are far more likely to develop it if your parents have it. You are also made more likely if you have a family history of eczema or other allergies.
There are many theories as to why you might develop asthma, but one of the most popular is known as the ‘hygiene hypothesis’. While it seems contradictory, we know that despite better hygiene in Western societies, we are also more likely to develop the disease. It is argued that this is because a cleaner environment means we are less exposed to allergens and pathogens.
Smoking is well known as a problem for asthmatics. Research has clearly shown that smoking during pregnancy makes your child far more likely to develop asthma. But as well as causing asthma, smoking can also make things worse for sufferers too. Smoke irritates the airways, especially in young children, and this makes it more difficult for them to breathe.
Treating asthma can be done in a number of simple ways. There will be certain things that act as a ‘trigger’ for your asthma. This could be dust-mites, cigarette smoke or a number of different things. Try to avoid these triggers to ensure you’re not putting yourself at a greater risk than necessary. Having laminate floors put down instead of carpets has been a benefit to a large number of asthma sufferers.
If you have symptoms more than three times a week, it’s important that you go to your doctor so that you can be prescribed with medication. The blue reliever inhaler, is the most common medication. It should be used before you exercise to reduce the risk of developing symptoms while you exert yourself.
As asthma is an inflammatory disease, the most important aspect of combatting it is preventative treatment. If you can keep your symptoms under control, asthma is a relatively simple disease to live with. Be sure to consult your doctor for other practical advice or if your symptoms worsen.
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