Inheritance Of Asthma

Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition which is attributed to environmental triggers and your genes. According to Kids Health, approximately 20 million Americans have asthma. Your chances of developing asthma increase if you have a family history of it. Still, there are preventative measures you can take as well as medical treatments once you are diagnosed with this condition.

Causes

• The exact cause of asthma is unknown. Partners Asthma Center explains that asthma is likely caused by a combination of environmental triggers and a genetic predisposition to the condition. Asthma causes your bronchial tubes, also called airways, to become inflamed and constrict. Your airways tighten up with mucous when they constrict. Constriction of the airways indicates the onset of an asthma attack.

Triggers

• Since asthma is attributed to a combination of a genes and your environment, you will have a unique set of triggers which may cause your symptoms to flare-up. Some of these triggers may be similar to other family members who have asthma. If you find that this is the case, your asthma is likely inherited. The City University of New York (CUNY) explains that if your asthma is not inherited, your environment is more likely the cause of asthma. Triggers of asthma may include tobacco smoke, air pollution, pollen, mold, dust mites, occupational dust, animal dander, grasses, odors, exercise and colds. If your asthma is inherited, you are still susceptible to environmental triggers and will likely see an absence of symptoms once the trigger is removed.

Role of Genes

• There are different types of inherited genes that make you more susceptible to developing asthma. However, unless asthma is triggered by your environment, such genes may never come to fruition. The CUNY reports that there is a specific gene called ADAM33 that may be linked to asthma development. ADAM33 is present within the lung cells and is thought to be the cause of airway inflammation and constriction.

Risk Factors

• Your chances of developing asthma increase if one or both of your parents has had asthma. According to the CUNY, an Arizona study found that children whose parents both had asthma had a 60 percent chance of developing it, while children had a 20 percent chance of developing asthma if one parent had asthma. Children whose families do not have a history of asthma have a six percent chance of developing it. If you have an identical twin who has asthma, your chance of developing the condition are also at an increased risk.

Prevention/Solution

• Whether your asthma is inherited or not, your course of action to help prevent asthma attacks is the same. A doctor can provide a proper diagnosis and ensure that you receive proper long-term treatments as well as quick-relief medications to treat asthma flare-ups. If your asthma is triggered by allergies, you may be referred to an allergist for immunotherapy, also called allergy shots. Once your asthma triggers are determined, it is best to avoid them in order to help keep asthma symptoms at bay. Keep in mind that there is no cure for asthma.