Asthma - Causes

Jessica Carreras

An asthmatic woman from Westland, Michigan was able to be very physically active in her childhood. Now, a writer and athlete, she can run half marathons despite the limitations asthma has put on her life.

5 Ways to Wane Wheezing in Asthma

The whistling sound someone with asthma makes? It's an indication their airways are restricted. Learn what causes breathing difficulty, how to treat it, and how to prevent flare-ups.

6 Important Tips to Help Alleviate Asthma This Winter

Believe it or not, those living with asthma typically need more medication during the winter months. While pollen causes misery in spring and summer, indoor allergens and dry air in the winter is a bigger problem.

How to Avoid an Asthma Attack When You Have a Cold

Make sure your cold is just about coughing and sneezing, not wheezing.

7 Ways to Prevent an Asthma Attack

You may be able to stop an asthma attack after it starts, but your best plan is to prevent one from happening in the first place. Here's how.

Speed Skater and Dancer Apolo Ohno: Living With A Respiratory Disorder

Apolo Ohno hangs up his skates to share his story about exercise-induced bronchospasm and how he's never let his condition interfere with his success, on or off the ice.

Allergies and Asthma: What's the Connection?

Learn more about these chronic conditions, both which affect millions of Americans.

Growing Up With Cows Helps Kids Breathe Easier

Children who live on dairy farms and drink unpasteurized milk appear to have immunity against asthma and allergies. New findings help identify why this is the case.

Acute vs. Chronic Sinusitis: Understand Your Condition

For many, sinusitis means uncomfortable symptoms that may require the right treatment to overcome.

Breathe Easier Tonight: How A Humidifier Can Help

Depending on your triggers, adding or removing the moisture in your bedroom air can lessen the risk of an asthma attack.

Exposure To Everyday Items May Be Causing Childhood Asthma

Bisphenol A, or BPA, is used in the production of plastics and resins. First linked to childhood obesity and behavior problems, now a new study associates this ubiquitous chemical to asthma, too.

What Smoking Does to Your Brain

Over time, a smoker's brain begins to associate cigarettes with pleasure, making it tougher to quit. And that's not the only mental effect of lighting up.

5 Surprising Asthma Triggers

Having a good laugh? That can spark asthma symptoms. Be aware, not surprised.

How to Weather Winter Asthma

Address your worst asthma triggers and enjoy the best that winter has to offer.

Is This a Hidden Cause of Asthma?

Research exposes a workplace danger that could contribute to childhood asthma.

Questions About Asthma Meds During Pregnancy

What are the risks on both sides? And what are the latest findings?

The Link Between Heart Disease and Asthma

When it comes to these two serious health issues, can one cause the other?

Weathering Summer Asthma

The summer months often bring chest tightness, coughing, and wheezing. Here's why.

The Hidden Dangers of Herbal Supplements

Supplements like bee pollen can seem like a sure road to health, but user beware.

Asthma's Two Types: Do You Have Intrinsic or Extrinsic?

Your symptoms reflect the type of asthma that you have. And knowing your type can help with treatment.

Asthma and Allergies Linked to a Dangerous Syndrome

Churg syndrome involves an overactive immune system that leads to inflammation of the blood vessels throughout the body.

The Dangers of a Dirty Humidifier

Despite its benefits, if handled incorrectly a humidifier can become a breeding ground for bacteria and mold.

6 Hidden Allergy and Asthma Triggers

Learn to identify the most common culprits so you can breathe easier.

Allergy-Proof Your Home

Allergens can attack almost anywhere, including your own home. Follow these tips to reduce your risk.

Avoiding Classroom Allergies and Asthma

10 back-to-school tips.

Asthma vs. Vocal Cord Dysfunction: What's the Difference?

From the way you wheeze to the time of day you tend to experience symptoms, learn the subtle differences between an asthma issue and vocal cord dysfunction.

Your Environmental Settings and Its Effect on Asthma

Whether you live in a bustling city, the picturesque suburbs, or in the cozy countryside, each setting has its unique challenges to asthma management. Learn how to breathe well in any setting.

Why Belly Fat Could Cause Asthma

Discover why extra fat surrounding the abdominal region could put you at an increased risk for developing asthma.

Is It Asthma, COPD, or Both?

Have you noticed that your fast-acting relief inhaler isn't providing as much relief as you'd expect? If you're an older person who smoked, it's possible that in addition to asthma, you could have another ailment called Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

5 Surprisingly Dangerous Jobs for Asthma

With one in seven adults reportedly experiencing occupational asthma, chances are high that work could actually make you sick.

Can Asthma Lead to Lung Cancer?

Scientists from the University of Missouri have found that asthma could increase your risk for lung cancer. However, other experts say you don't need to panic. But there is consensus that asthma can cause damage to your lungs. Avoid these offenders to keep your lungs strong.

Don't Let Stress Complicate Your Asthma

After a stressful week, you may find your asthma acting up. And sometimes, dealing with asthma can become very stressful. So does asthma cause stress or is it the other way around? The answer is more complicated than you may think.

Is Asthma Piling on the Pounds?

If you have asthma and find yourself struggling with your weight, you may wonder if asthma is to blame. And according to many researchers, there could be a link.

How Doctors Determine an Asthma Diagnosis

You're wheezing, coughing, and short of breath, but could it really be asthma? Learn how doctors go about diagnosing this chronic condition.

Silencing That Asthma Wheeze

You know all too well the telltale wheeze that occurs with asthma. Learn how you can keep this whistling sound away from your lungs.

Can Your Immune System Make Asthma Worse?

In recent years the medical community has come clean about a dirty little secret: good hygiene can be a bad thing, and may be linked to asthma.

What is Exercise-Induced Anaphylaxis?

You may jog or take exercise classes regularly to help look and feel your best. But if you're one of the few people who suffer from exercise-induced anaphylaxis, participating in strenuous activities can put your health at serious risk.

Chronic Cough and Asthma

Most of us cough when we have a cold, as it's the body's way of clearing the bronchial passages. But when a cough lingers long after your cold has gone, it could be time to see if it's related to asthma.

What is Exercise-Induced Anaphylaxis?

You may jog or take exercise classes regularly to help look and feel your best. But if you're one of the few people who suffer from exercise-induced anaphylaxis, participating in strenuous activities can put your health at serious risk.

Take the Sting Out of Asthma and Insect Allergies

Warm weather means heading to the beach, basking in the sun, or enjoying a hike or bike ride, but along with the outdoor fun come those pesky bugs. And for some asthmatics who have allergies to insect bites, being stung by a bug can have deadly consequences.

Gender and Asthma: Why Sex Matters

Although many people assume that asthma affects males and females equally, it's becoming increasingly clear to the medical community that respiratory health is handled differently by women and men.

Understanding Leaky Gut Syndrome

This condition is the result of damage to the intestinal lining, which allows larger-than-normal particles such as undigested food, microbes, wastes, and toxins to get into the lymphatic system or bloodstream, triggering an immune response that causes inflammation.

Can Folic Acid Increase Your Asthma Risk?

If you've ever been pregnant, you've probably taken daily folic acid supplements to safeguard the health of your unborn baby. But did you know that in the process, you could have been increasing your child's risk of developing asthma?

Alcohol and Asthma: A Good or Bad Mix?

Some asthma sufferers say that a few beers or a glass of wine does nothing to aggravate their symptoms. Some even claim these libations help to improve their symptoms. Yet other asthmatics find that drinking alcohol worsens their chronic respiratory symptoms. How can such a large discrepancy exist? Here's why.

Secondhand Smoke and Kids: How Much Is Too Much?

When it comes to kids and secondhand smoke, is there a safe level? And what does secondhand smoke affect?

Have Asthma? Avoid These 4 Foods

Not only does indoor and outdoor air quality affect asthma symptoms, but these foods can also wreak havoc on your lungs.

Want Healthy Lungs? Take Care of Your Teeth and Gums

The benefits of good dental hygiene go far beyond your teeth and gums. Researchers now believe your oral health can have an effect on how well your lungs will function.

How Indoor Allergies Can Trigger Asthma

Sometimes allergies and asthma can go hand-in-hand. And here's why.

The Link Between Traffic and Asthma

If you live near a busy roadway and find yourself short of breath or constantly wheezing, your address could be to blame.

Does Mold in Lungs Really Exist?

Mold tends to breed in all sorts of warm, damp, and humid areas both inside and outside of your home. But did you also know that certain molds can grow right inside your lungs?

Asthma or Obesity: Which Comes First?

In recent years, scientists have recognized a link between asthma and obesity, but understanding which problem comes first hasn't been quite as clear.

Why are Childhood Allergies so Common?

It's nothing to sneeze at. Millions of kids suffer from allergies and asthma. Here are some of the reasons why.

Unexpected Allergic Asthma Triggers Lurking in Your Gym

You go to the gym for health and wellness purposes, but this fitness-intense environment can intensify your allergic asthma symptoms. Head off these triggers before you head out.

Does Chronic Nasal Congestion Worsen Asthma?

Think that your chronic nasal congestion is all in your head? Well, it may also be in your chest. According to the latest research findings, there is a strong link between rhinitis and severe asthma, particularly in those who suffer from a range of respiratory symptoms.

The Connection between Violence, Stress, and Asthma

How safe is your neighborhood? If the answer is, "Not very," then you could be at an increased risk for asthma complications.

Asthma at Work: 7 Ways You Won't Get Sick

Your work environment could be making you sick. Wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath might be indicators that something at work is triggering your symptoms.

Can Inhaled Steroids Cause Diabetes?

There are benefits to taking inhaled corticosteroids to control your asthma symptoms. But did you know this medicine can put you at risk for diabetes?

Can Menopause Cause Asthma?

If shortness of breath and wheezing are accompanied with hot flashes and mood swings, you might have more than just menopause.

When Pet Allergies Trigger Asthma

Do you want to keep your pet or do you want to breathe better? Thankfully, you may not have to make that choice after all.

Is Perfume Hazardous to Your Health?

Your favorite fragrance may be giving off more than just a nice scent.

How to Fight Off Fall Asthma Symptoms

The fall season can be the most delightful time of the year, but yet the worst part of the year if you have asthma. See how you can get to enjoy the changing leaves and the holiday festivities.

Age or Asthma: What's Making You Short of Breath?

When you find yourself suddenly short of breath, do you wonder where your symptoms are coming from? Knowing the difference can be difficult not only for you but for your doctor, as well.

Genetics Can Determine Your Asthma Risk

Did you know that your genetic makeup could have a significant impact on your breathing capacity? Researchers discovered that insight into a patient's genetic makeup can help doctors assess current and future lung function.

Why Asthma Rates Peak in September

Fall can come with pleasures like football, apple picking, or going back to school. But it can also mean asthma symptoms so severe that hospitals report record-high ER visits in September.

Working With Soy May Cause Occupational Asthma

Is your job making you sick? If you work in a soy processing plant and suffer from asthma, you certainly could be in danger according to a study.

What is the September asthma epidemic and how can my family avoid it?

If this is the most dangerous month for your asthma symptoms, you may want to read on. See how you can prepare yourself for the September asthma epidemic.

The Link between Asthma, Eczema, and Cancer

It s hard to imagine anything positive about having asthma or eczema. However, a recent study suggested that men who have either immune system disease have a lower risk for common types of cancer.

7 Ways to Combat Asthma and Stress

If you have a lot on your plate, stress and anxiety can creep in. But can it also worsen your asthma?

Breathe Easy: Don't Lose Sleep Over Nocturnal Asthma

Is your asthma keeping you up at night? As many as 20 million Americans suffer from asthma and many of them find that their symptoms worsen after dark. This condition is so common, it's often referred to as "nocturnal asthma."

5 "Super" Foods for Asthma

It can be difficult to keep track of which foods you should avoid that worsen asthma symptoms. Thankfully, these are super foods that are not only common in what you eat, but also relieve asthma.

Why It's Important to Keep Your Home Mold-Free

Does mold flare up your asthma or allergies? Preventing mold triggers and proactively keeping your home mold-free can be the best way to evict this pest.

Weighing the Connection between White Food and Asthma

The color of the food you eat really matters, especially if you suffer from asthma. Research now points out that starchy white foods may make asthma symptoms worse over time, but it's not for reasons you'd expect.

Don t Lose Sleep Over Nocturnal Asthma

Is your asthma keeping you up at night? If so you certainly aren't alone. As many as 20 million Americans suffer from asthma according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. And many of them find that their symptoms worsen after dark. In fact, this condition is so common, it's often referred to as "nocturnal asthma."

Tips for Traveling with Asthma

While packing for vacation, you probably wish you could leave your asthma behind. Unfortunately, asthma symptoms go with you wherever you go. In fact, a change of weather and location can even make your respiratory problems more severe.

Seasonal Asthma: Why Warm Weather Makes it Flare

On warm summer days, do you find your asthma symptoms heating up along with the temperature? Asthma and the weather are often related and days that are particularly hot can leave you scrambling for your fast-acting inhaler.

Banishing Dirt and Germs Indoors May Be Safer and Easier Than You Think

Recent findings by the US Environmental Protection Agency found that air inside the home may be more polluted than outdoor air, because of toxins contained in common cleaning solutions.

Worried About Asthma and Panic Attacks?

Find out what is the relationship between asthma and panic disorders and how these conditions can go hand in hand.

Food for Thought: The Connection between High-Fat Food and Asthma

Meals high on fat can worsen your asthma symptoms. Fatty foods increase respiratory inflammation and asthma related symptoms.

5 Ways Global Warming Affects Your Health

There s no shortage of talk in the news media about global warming and how it hurts the environment. But did you ever stop to think that the effects of global warming might be having a direct impact on your personal health?

Are Scented Candles Dangerous to Your Health?

Who doesn't love the seasonal smells candles bring to the home? Well, despite the intoxicating aromas, you may be putting yourself at risk.

What to Do When Dairy Worsens Your Asthma

What if when you consume dairy products, your asthma kicks in and you find it difficult to breathe?

The Adult Asthma-Bacteria Connection

Learn how adult-onset asthma and harmful bacteria are connected.

Asthma and Other Health Conditions

It's bad enough that you have asthma, but to make matters worse, do you also have to suffer from a variety of other illnesses?

Is Swimming Pool Chlorine Aggravating Your Asthma?

Get the scoop on the relationship between pool chlorine and asthma symptoms.

Obesity and Asthma: What's the Link?

Extra poundage could actually be worsening your asthma symptoms and preventing you from feeling great.

Acid Reflux and Asthma: Does One Cause the Other?

Since asthmatics are more than twice as likely to have reflux as non-asthma sufferers, it's clear there is a connection.

Dangers in the Air You Breathe

What you need to know about pollution and tips on how to reduce its harm.

The Athlete's Guide to Asthma Management

Find advice on how to stay active without making your asthma condition worse.

The Asthma Diet: What to Eat to Keep Your Symptoms Away

Find out what foods can relieve or aggravate your asthma symptoms.

Could You Have Multiple Chemical Sensitivity?

What is chemical or environmental illness and how can you lower your risk?

Asthma & Depression: What's the Link?

Read on to learn more about the relationship between these two conditions.

The Link between Asthma Medication and Osteoporosis

Some asthma medications may compromise your bone health.

Don t Let the Changing Seasons Take Away Your Breath

Take control of your seasonal asthma.

Humidifier "Do s" that Don t Trigger Asthma

One in four Americans suffers from allergy and asthma, according to recent statistics provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If you fall into this group, you may try lots of techniques, including running a humidifier, to relieve your symptoms. But did you know that using a humidifier can actually be worsening your condition?

How Your Diet Affects Arthritis

Can changing how you eat help ease arthritis symptoms? The jury is out.

10 Worst Cities for Fall Allergies

Is your city making you sneeze? High pollen and mold counts make some places worse than others.

5 Biggest Holiday Allergy Triggers

'Tis the season for allergies. Learn how keep them from spoiling your holiday fun.

Asthma 101

Understanding asthma triggers and symptoms can help prevent attacks. Learn how to recognize the signs and manage your condition.
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