Causes of Asthma
Why am I so breathless?
The primary reason, why asthma (breathlessness, respiratory allergy, wheeze) develops in some people and not in others, is not well understood. However, certain risk factors have been identified that make a person more prone to develop this condition. Conversely, it must be noted that not all cases develop asthma in spite of the presence of risk factors.
One of the strongest risk factors for asthma is a combination of genetic tendency and exposure to allergens / irritants. The allergens or irritants form a large group and some of the common ones are mentioned here:
Pollen and moulds
House dust mites
Air pollution
Pet dander
Tobacco smoke
Chemical irritants in the workplace
Strong perfumes
Presence of any other kind of allergy
Apart from allergens/irritants, there are other things that can trigger an asthmatic attack:
Chilly air
Intense emotions like anger, fear, etc.
Physical exercise (known as Exercise-induced Asthma, this is triggered by rigorous physical exercise)
Certain drugs like aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), Beta-blockers, etc.
Viral infections
Certain foods
Changes in weather
Hormonal changes such as those occurring in pregnancy, menopause, thyroid disorders, etc.
Obesity
Gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) – the reflux of the acid from the stomach into the food pipe (esophagus) can trigger asthma in sensitive individuals
Heredity