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If you have asthma, chances are that a relative like your mom, dad, or grandparent was also born with asthma. But is it always the case that asthma runs in the family? Let’s take a look at where asthma comes from, what can cause it, and how you can treat it to start breathing better and stronger.

Is Asthma Genetic?

The short answer is, “Yes, asthma can be genetic.” Children born with asthma likely have a parent or both parents who have asthma themselves.

Should only one parent have asthma, there is a 25% likelihood for their child to inherit it. If both parents suffer from asthma, the child’s likelihood of having asthma, too, increases to 50%. In a group of siblings with asthmatic parents, you may find that half or less suffer from asthma while the others do not.

Is Asthma Always Genetic?

No, asthma isn’t always genetic. Some asthma patients develop the condition even if both parents do not suffer from it themselves. Plus, some children do not develop it, even if both parents have it. Asthma’s genetic factors only mean that family history can increase your likelihood of either passing it on to your child if you have it or developing it if you are born to a parent who has it.

Asthma is a complex bronchial condition that can be affected by genetics, external factors, or a combination of both. It’s not that there is a single gene that dictates whether or not you will or will not develop it. Instead, it’s a combination of genes that can lead to the development of asthma depending on how they interact with one another and the external environment.

How Do Other Factors Influence the Development of Asthma?

In addition to genetic predisposition or family history, several other factors can come into play when it comes to developing asthma, including:

Having Allergies

Many asthma patients also suffer from allergies, especially allergies to airborne allergens like pollen, ragweed, pet dander, dust mites, and others. Allergies can also be genetically passed down from parent to child, but not always. Patients with allergies like atopic eczema or nasal allergies (hay fever) are more inclined to also have asthma.

Being Exposed to Air Pollution

The quality of the air you are regularly exposed to can impact your risk of developing asthma and experiencing related breathing difficulties. Exposure to pollutants that lower the air quality can disrupt the way certain genes function, triggering the development of asthma.

Common air pollutants include:

  • Cigarette smoke
  • Smog
  • Chemical fumes
  • Molds
  • Dust

Contracting a Viral Respiratory Infection

Some people develop asthma after contracting a virus that attacks the lungs and respiratory system. Viruses like RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) or HRV (human rhinovirus) can trigger the onset of asthma, which more commonly occurs in children rather than adults.

Gaining Too Much Weight

People with too much excess weight are inclined to develop asthma. The relationship between obesity and asthma is not completely understood, but experts believe it has something to do with the inflammation in the body that excessive weight causes. This inflammation could result in the onset of asthma. Additionally, obesity often causes an overall decline in health, putting the body more at risk of developing a number of conditions, including asthma.

Are There Different Types of Asthma a Person Can Suffer From?

Yes, there are several types of asthma a patient can suffer from, regardless of whether their asthma is due to genetics or external factors.

Asthma types fall into three main categories: duration, cause, and age. Not all patients are triggered by the same substances or situations, and not all asthma patients experience the same level of severity when their asthma is triggered. And while some patients develop asthma early on in childhood, others can develop it later into adulthood.

Asthma Types Based on Duration: Acute Asthma and Chronic Asthma

  • Acute Asthma – Asthma that flares up suddenly and severely, usually after the patient encounters a trigger or experiences a particular condition/situation.
  • Chronic Asthma – Asthma that is persistent and more long-term. Chronic asthma patients typically have some level of inflammation in the airways at any given time.

Asthma Types Based on Cause: Allergic Asthma and Non-Allergic Asthma

  • Allergic Asthma – Asthma that flares up in response to exposure to an allergen. Common allergic asthma triggers include pollen, pet dander, and mold spores.
  • Non-Allergic Asthma – Asthma that is not triggered by an allergen but by different factors like air pollutants, illness, stress, exercise, and others.

Asthma Types Based on Age: Pediatric Asthma and Adult-Onset Asthma

  • Pediatric Asthma – Asthma that develops early in a patient’s life. Most pediatric asthma patients are diagnosed by the age of five.
  • Adult-Onset Asthma – Asthma that develops later in a patient’s life. Adult-onset asthma can appear in someone’s 20s or anytime after.

Whether your asthma is genetic or whether you know if your asthma is genetic or not, Langford Allergy has the treatment you need to manage your asthma and breathe easily.

Dr. Langford, Dr. Mathew, and our team of asthma specialists offer specialized care and treatment to all asthma patients, from pediatric patients to those well into adulthood. We create individualized and effective treatment and management plans that mitigate asthma attacks and encourage stronger, better breathing at any stage of life.

Schedule an asthma appointment today: 478-787-4728

Langford Allergy delivers allergy, asthma, and immunodeficiency care to patients throughout Middle Georgia, including:

  • Bonaire, GA
  • Byron, GA
  • Forsyth, GA
  • Fort Valley, GA
  • Gray, GA
  • Macon, GA
  • Milledgeville, GA
  • Perry, GA
  • Warner Robins, GA

And other surrounding areas.

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