Unknown Facts About Asthma

Asthma is a chronic disease that causes inflammation of the airways, resulting in difficulty breathing. Because asthma affects each person differently, there is no one treatment that will alleviate asthma symptoms for everyone.

History

Doctors in ancient Greece first used the term "asthma" to describe patients who were breathless or gasping for air. Asthma was attributed to internal imbalances that could be treated with improved diet and healthy lifestyle changes.

Classification

Asthma is classified based on the frequency of attacks and the results of pulmonary tests. Fewer than two attacks a week is considered intermittent asthma; two or more is considered mild; and daily or continuous attacks is considered severe.

Inheritance

According to MedicineNet, a person has a 6 percent chance of developing asthma if neither parent has the disease. There is a 30 percent chance if one parent is asthmatic and a 70 percent chance if both parents suffer from the disease.

Myths

Two common myths are that one can grow out of asthma and that it is contagious. Both of these statements are false.

Triggers

According to MedicineNet, 50 percent of adults and 80 percent of children suffering from asthma also have allergies. Non-allergen asthma triggers include exercise, tobacco smoke, respiratory infections, some medications and emotional factors, including laughing, crying and stress.

References

• MedicineNet: Asthma Fact Page

Resources

• Challenging Places to Live with Asthma

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