Asthma…. Way more common than you think!

Although asthma can be managed relatively easily, it remains a potentially deadly illness. While genetics can play a large role in the development of asthma, environmental factors can also cause a person to develop the illness. Nor does a person have to be born with it. Specialty Asthma and Allergy Doctors  see thousands of adults a year who never suffered as children. Furthermore,  the American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology, roughly 8% of adults in the US had asthma.

A number of factors may increase your asthma risk:

Allergens both inside the home, such as dust mites and pet dander, and outside, such as pollens and dust.

Smoke, whether from a smoker or fire, can be both a factor and trigger for asthma.

Certain chemicals used for cleaning, particularly those that have fumes or include particles that can be airborne.

Environmental pollution can be a significant cause for the development of asthma, and allergies. If you live in an area where smog is a frequent problem, particularly in the summer months, this can be a serious problem for your lungs, even beyond causing the development of asthma.

Acid reflux, more commonly known as heartburn, can contribute to the development of asthma. When the digestive system pushes food back up the esophagus, stomach acid is included with the food, burning the esophagus. With the close proximity of the esophagus and airway passages, the acid may also trigger asthma.

Obesity is also a likely contributing factor as a greater percentage of those who have asthma are obese, compared to those who are overweight or at a normal weight.

Asthma: Factors That Increase Your Asthma Risk & Decrease Your Health

Asthma is one of the most insidious diseases around. It comes on without warning and is seemingly exacerbated by a host of unrelated issues. In short, it is a real impediment for sufferers who want to live life to the fullest. With those facts in mind, here are a few things that our Arizona asthma doctors want the sufferer to be made aware of  order to minimize their susceptibility to the disease:

Man-made pollutants – Smoke, sulfites and other airborne particulates created by modern technology are a significant trigger of asthma attacks in the Phoenix area. Remaining indoors while at home or keeping the windows up while traveling are simple fixes that can really help during the allergy season.

Natural substances – It is not just man-made irritants that are a problem as everything from pollen and pet dander to dust mites and particles of cockroach waste can trigger an allergic reaction in susceptible individuals.

Food allergies – While generally not recognized by the general public, anaphylactic shock from food allergies is one of the most potent promoters of asthma in an unsuspecting patient. The body's natural desire to rid itself of the

Phoenix and the surrounding Maricopa County area is just now starting to hit the worst part of the allergy season – September through the end of November. For more information on avoiding the worst of the asthma and asthmatic allergies, please contact us at Adult & Pediatric Allergy Associates, P.C..