14 million adults and 6 million children in the US alone suffer from asthma. Wondering if asthma might be in your future or your child's future?
Risk factors are certain personal traits or events that increase the likelihood that you will experience a specific disease or a condition associated with a disease. Look at this list of top asthma risk factors to decide if you or your child may develop asthma at some point in the future. If your risk is high, take steps to avoid the factors you can.
1. Family History of Asthma
Having a
parent or sibling with asthma means you have a high risk of developing asthma yourself.
2. Living in Urban Areas
People who live in
urban areas are exposed to air pollution on a daily basis and are more likely to develop asthma. There are also more cockroaches in urban areas. Cockroach sensitivity is a common
trigger for asthma.
3. Exposure to Secondhand Smoke
People who live with someone who smokes or have frequent, prolonged exposure to secondhand smoke (such as in a work setting) are at a much higher risk for developing asthma. So, parents should never smoke around their children or even in the same house. Even better, they should
quit!
4. Low Birth Weight
Children who were smaller than the norm at birth, such as those born early, are also at higher risk for asthma.6. Exposure to Irritants on the Job
If you are exposed to certain chemicals or other irritating substances on a regular basis at work, you could be at risk for developing
occupational asthma. Risky occupations may include farming, hairdressing, and paint, steel, plastics, and electronics manufacturing.
