Some people are born with a predisposition toward developing asthma. However, what actually triggers the disease can vary from person to person. Common triggers include environmental tobacco smoke, air pollution, pollen, allergens from animals and insects, abrupt weather changes, biological contaminants such as mold, and viral infections. Studies show that children whose parents smoke are twice as likely to develop asthma as children of nonsmoking parents. Also, children whose mothers smoked during pregnancy tend to be born with smaller airways, which greatly increases their chances of developing the disease.
Diagnosis is the first step in keeping the condition under control.
Anyone regularly exhibiting any of the symptoms should see a doctor or allergist as soon as possible. The earlier it is diagnosed the earlier the condition can be gotten under control. An estimated 12.4 million Americans suffer from asthma, 4.2 million of whom are under the age of 18. Asthma is the leading chronic illness of children in the United States and the leading cause of school absenteeism due to chronic illness. About 4,000 people die from asthma episodes each year, more than 80 percent of them children.