Chest diseases are usually a cause for concern, especially asthma, because they affect one of the basic processes in the body, which is breathing. Asthma is a common condition that affects the bronchial tubes in the lungs, making breathing more difficult. The problem with asthma is that it is a chronic condition that the patient may live with throughout his life. However, knowing the causes of asthma may greatly help in avoiding triggers that may irritate the bronchial tubes and cause symptoms, and that is what we will focus on in our article today.

What are the causes of asthma?

Asthma is a chronic condition that affects the airways in the lungs. Asthma patients have sensitive airways that quickly become inflamed when exposed to triggers.

Although asthma is common in children, anyone at any age can develop it even if they did not have it as a child.

As for the causes of asthma, researchers have not found a specific cause for it, but it is believed that it results from a group of factors, including:

• Genetic factors: If a parent or sibling has asthma, the person is more likely to develop it.
• History of viral infection: People with a history of severe viral infections during childhood, such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection, may be more likely to develop asthma.
• Extreme cleanliness: It may be surprising, but strict hygiene means that children are not exposed to enough bacteria in the first months and years of their lives, which is not as true as some might think. It means that their immune systems are not trained to fight infection, and therefore not strong enough to fight off asthma and other allergic conditions.

Learn about: What are the symptoms of asthma?

What things make asthma worse?

Things that increase asthma, or as they are known as irritants asthmaThese are triggers that trigger and worsen symptoms in a person who is already infected.

The most common asthma triggers include:

• Health conditions such as respiratory infections.
• Doing exercise.
• Inhaling smoke from cigarettes, fires and traffic pollution.
• Environmental irritants such as: pollen and mold.
• Foods that cause allergies, such as: fish, eggs, etc.
• Chemicals, such as: cleaning products, perfumes, gasoline, etc.
• Stress and extreme tension.
• Severe weather changes.
• Dust mites (microscopic insects that live on dust).
• Certain medications, including aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

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Who is most at risk of developing asthma?

People most at risk of developing asthma are:

• Those born prematurely (premature babies).
• Children who were born at a lower than normal weight.
• Children born to mothers who smoked during pregnancy.
• People who are frequently exposed to air pollutants that irritate the lungs.
• People who inhale dust for prolonged periods of time (such as those whose work requires this).
• Athletes if they constantly train hard and breathe polluted or dry air.

What is the difference between asthma symptoms in adults and children?

Asthma symptoms in adults do not differ from those in children, but the difference is that they may be continuous in adults and intermittent in children.

In general, asthma symptoms include:

• Chest pain or tightness.
• Cough, especially at night or early in the morning, with or without phlegm.
• Shortness of breath that gets worse with exercise or exertion.
• Wheezing or wheezing when breathing.
• The chest drops inward severely when breathing.
• Difficulty sleeping.
• Abnormal breathing pattern (exhalation takes more than twice as long as inhalation).

These symptoms range from mild to severe, and may occur every day or only once in a while.

What is the difference between allergies and asthma?

Asthma and allergies are both common chronic diseases, especially in children, but there are some key differences between the two.

• Frequency of symptoms: Allergies are often seasonal, meaning they occur at specific times of the year when a person is exposed to certain triggers. For example, a person may develop seasonal allergies only during the spring when pollen is present in large quantities, and asthma symptoms may occur throughout the year due to many reasons such as cold air, or playing a different type of sport.
• How long symptoms last: Allergy symptoms are usually short-term and disappear if the person avoids exposure to various triggers, but in some cases their duration may be prolonged. 
• Severity of symptoms: Symptoms may be similar between asthma and allergies, but there are some fundamental differences between them, as allergies greatly affect the nose and eyes, and may include other symptoms such as coughing, frequent tears and vice versa, and others. 
• Chest disorders: Asthma may cause a group of abnormal symptoms that may affect the chest, such as wheezing during breathing, and it can be avoided by visiting a doctor if you feel any abnormal symptoms. 

Is asthma dangerous?

may be asthma It is dangerous in several cases, including: when not dealing with it normally, and neglecting to visit a doctor, and the matter may reach a dangerous stage that requires going to the hospital immediately, especially when one of the following symptoms appears: 

• Blue lips and face. 
• Impaired and decreased degrees of awareness, such as: difficulty concentrating and confusion.
• Difficulty breathing.
• Irregular and rapid heartbeat. 
• Anxiety.
• Excessive sweating and difficulty speaking.
• Partial or complete cessation of breathing for a few minutes. 

In conclusion, we must highlight the importance of knowing the symptoms and causes of asthma, and knowing the differences between simple colds and more advanced symptoms that require visiting a doctor immediately to prevent the condition from worsening. Book Appointment Within the clinics of Al Mousa Specialist Hospital to ensure distinguished service at the hands of a group of the best doctors in the Kingdom