One moment everything is fine. The next moment, coughing begins, breathing becomes difficult, and there is a feeling of air hunger. Sometimes this happens after petting a cat, and sometimes while playing football outdoors.
If these situations sound familiar, you or your child may be suffering from a chronic lung disease called asthma.
Andy Liu, a researcher in pediatric asthma and allergies at the National Jewish Medical and Research Center in Denver, states that asthma is highly prevalent among children and that its incidence has increased over the past decades.
Between 1980 and 1996, the number of asthma diagnoses in the United States doubled. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 20 million adults and approximately 9 million children in the U.S. currently suffer from asthma.
Liu notes:
“When I was a child, only one or two students in a class had asthma. Now, it is common to see five or six children in a single classroom with the condition.”
Although the exact reason for the increase is not fully understood, scientists are investigating possible contributing factors and working on new treatment approaches. Significant progress has been made in asthma management in recent years.
Liu emphasizes:
“In the past, we considered children with asthma to be limited in their abilities. Over the last 15 years, this perspective has changed. We now believe that most children with asthma can lead completely normal lives.”
What Happens in the Lungs?
The lungs resemble a branching tree in structure. These branches are the airways. When you inhale, air travels through these pathways into the lungs and passes through thin membranes to deliver oxygen into the bloodstream.
During an asthma attack:
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Mucus blocks and narrows the airways,
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The inner lining of the airways becomes swollen,
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The surrounding muscles tighten.
As a result, breathing becomes difficult.
This process does not usually occur without a trigger. In many cases, specific triggers play a role.
The Connection Between Allergy and Asthma
According to researcher Sam Arbes, at least half of people with asthma also have allergies.
Allergy occurs when the immune system overreacts to:
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Cat and dog dander,
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Dust,
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Pollen,
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Mold,
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Other foreign substances.
These substances are called allergens.
Some people simply sneeze or develop a runny nose when exposed to allergens. However, in people with asthma, the reaction can be much more severe and may even require hospitalization.
Research has shown that even in homes without pets, allergens from cats and dogs are often present.
Pollution and Other Triggers
Asthma is not only related to allergies.
The following can also trigger asthma attacks:
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Physical exertion
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Cigarette smoke
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Strong perfumes
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Food odors
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Air pollution
Scientists are confident that allergies can worsen asthma, but it has not yet been definitively proven whether allergens directly cause the development of asthma.
The Hygiene Hypothesis
Observations reveal an interesting trend:
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Children who grow up on farms have lower rates of asthma.
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Children who attend daycare have a lower risk.
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Children with older siblings are less likely to develop asthma than only children.
These findings support what is known as the “hygiene hypothesis.”
According to this theory, modern children are exposed to fewer microorganisms due to:
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Spending more time indoors
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Widespread use of antibacterial products
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Increased use of antibiotics
As a result, the immune system does not get enough “training” and may overreact to harmless allergens.
Modern Treatment and Hopeful Perspectives
Although the exact causes of asthma are still being studied, major advances have been made in managing the condition.
Main approaches include:
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Identifying and avoiding triggers
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Preventive treatment
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Inhaler medications (which relax and open the airways)
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Long-term control medications
In addition, new breath-based diagnostic tests are being developed for earlier detection.
Andy Liu states:
“Many children limit their activities because of asthma. But that does not have to be the case.”
A person with asthma can:
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Live with minimal symptoms,
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Participate in any sport,
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Lead a normal and active life.
A well-known example is American football player Jerome “The Bus” Bettis. Asthma did not prevent him from becoming a successful professional athlete.
Conclusion
Asthma is a chronic but manageable condition.
With proper diagnosis, modern treatment, and awareness:
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Children and adults can live normal lives,
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Physical activity does not need to be restricted,
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Quality of life can remain high.
Asthma is no longer a limitation — when properly controlled, it is simply a manageable condition.