Risk Factors for Asthma
| About risk factors: Risk factors for Asthma are factors that do not seem to be a direct cause of the disease, but seem to be associated in some way. Having a risk factor for Asthma makes the chances of getting a condition higher but does not always lead to Asthma. Also, the absence of any risk factors or having a protective factor does not necessarily guard you against getting Asthma. For general information and a list of risk factors, see the risk center. |
Risk factor list: The list of risk factors mentioned for Asthma in various sources includes:
- Low socioeconomic status
- Poverty
- Substandard housing
- Indoor allergens
- Lack of education
- Inadequate access to health care
Risk factors discussion: Although asthma is only slightly more prevalent among minority children than among whites, it accounts for three times the number of deaths. Low socioeconomic status, exposure to urban environmental contaminants, lack of access to medical care, and lack of self-management skills all contribute to the increase in deaths in minority communities.1
Poverty, substandard housing that increases exposure to certain indoor allergens, lack of education, inadequate access to health care, and the failure to take appropriate prescribed medications may all increase the risk of having a severe asthma attack or, more tragically, of dying from asthma.1
Risks factors for Asthma: medical news summaries: The following medical news items are relevant to risk factors for Asthma:
- Asthmatics have poor adherence to medication following hospitalisation
- Bakery workers more prone to asthma symptoms
- Breastfeeding may delay onset of food allergies
- Bushfires may pose risk to asthma sufferers
- Children with genetic defect face greater health risks from passive smoking
- COPD is the 4th leading killer but there is not much awareness of the condition
- Dust mites can’t survive in unmade beds
- Exposure to indoor pool airborne chemicals may increase asthma risk in children
- Exposure to mould increases risk of childhood asthma
- Grape farmers more prone to respiratory problems
- High levels of vitamin C in breast milk linked to lower allergy risk
- High salt consumption can cause a range of health problems
- Household chemical linked to asthma risk
- Indoor air purifiers produce dangerous levels of ozone
- Inhaled steroid use may also be linked to cataracts
- Inhaled steroids may increase risk of osteoporosis
- Researchers report on how to reduce asthma risk in children
- Snoring children have higher prevalence of asthma
- Study linking asthma to use of cleaning products is misleading says The Soap and Detergent Association
- Study proves that exclusive breastfeeding has protective effect against asthma
- Unmade beds can exterminate dust mites
- Vitamin C supplementation during pregnancy may increase the risk of wheezing but vitamin E may decrease the risk
Footnotes:
1. excerpt from Asthma A Concern for Minority Populations, NIAID Fact Sheet: NIAID
Last revision: April 9, 2003
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