Causes
Asthma occurs in about 5 million American children . Each year about 200,000 of them are hospitalized. It is the most common chronic childhood illness. About half of all cases of asthma develop before the age of 10, and about 80% of patients develop symptoms before they are 5 years old.
General Causes of Asthma
The mechanisms that cause asthma are complex and vary among population groups and even individuals. For example, asthma in children is highly associated with allergies. However, only a minority of children with allergies have asthma, and allergic response cannot explain all cases of asthma. Other factors, such as genetics or environmental conditions are probably involved in the development of asthma. Most likely, several genes combine to make a child susceptible to environmental triggers, not only allergens but also possibly infections, dietary patterns, or air pollution. Physical factors, particularly having smaller lungs, affect the chances for later asthma.
Factors Contributing to the Worldwide Increase of Asthma
From 1980 to 1994, asthma increased 160% in American children younger than 4 years and has also dramatically risen worldwide. Experts are puzzling over the cause of this phenomenon. Among the causes and factors that are suspects in the dramatic rise in asthma in children are the following:
- Western dietary habits (which commonly include more fast foods and less fruits, vegetables, fiber, minerals, and other nutrients) may contribute to the development of childhood asthma.
- Children are spending more time indoors watching television, playing video games, or using the computer and are, therefore, overexposed to indoor allergens.
- The trend of making homes more energy-efficient may result in dust mites being trapped inside them.
- Survival rates are now higher in low-birth-weight babies, who may be more susceptible to asthma.
- Declining rates in nursing may be a contributor. Breast milk contains important anti-inflammatory substances, such as omega-3 fatty acids, which might protect against asthma.
- Better hygiene and childhood immunizations have been associated with persistence of early immune factors that might increase the risk for allergies and asthma. Several studies, however, have found no association between vaccinations and allergic conditions or asthma.
Previous Section
