Causes, diagnosis and treatment of Asthma

Causes of Asthma

The cause of asthma is not yet fully understood, and the triggers and asthmatic response differ on a case by case basis. Usually, your body’s immune system is equipped and ready to fight any possible pathogens (disease causing microorganisms) or foreign substances which may come into contact with it, in order to ward off infections and keep you healthy. Sometimes an allergen can come into contact with your body, which is a substance in the environment which can cause allergic reactions, e.g. pollen, dust mites, certain foods, insect bites and stings etc.

In these instances, the immune systems can produce a strong response and inflammation. Inflammation is a protective response and it can cause your airways to become swollen, narrow, and specialised cells lining them may start to make more mucus. This response doesn’t happen in every person, and others who come into contact with exactly the same allergen will not experience this reaction.

When inflammation occurs it can make breathing more difficult, and the muscles in and around your respiratory tract can tighten. If this happens on a consistent basis or you have a more serious viral infection during early childhood, research suggests that this can lead to the development of asthma. It has also been found that genetic factors can also influence someone’s risk of getting asthma, for example if one of your parents has asthma then it is more likely you will also develop the condition (particularly if this is your mother).