5 Interesting Facts About Asthma That You Never Knew

Statistics show that 1 in 13 Americans have asthma. That’s about 25 million Americans. What these numbers essentially imply is that there is a high probability that you, somebody in your family, or someone you know at work or in school could have asthma.
Therefore, the more you know, the better equipped you’d be to help those around you.
Here are a few interesting facts about asthma that are worth knowing.

Fact No. 1: Asthma Is for Life  

Asthma is a chronic condition that usually develops during childhood and then either remains the same for life or intensifies, but it doesn’t ever go away. Even years from when the last symptoms appeared and one stops using inhalers, there’s always a chance for an attack to make a comeback.

Fact No. 2: Babies with Eczema Have A Higher Chance of Developing Asthma Later On

Eczema affects the skin, while asthma affects the airways, so it does come as a surprise to know that the two conditions are actually related. As babies with eczema grow older, they develop other allergies—doctors call this the “allergic march”—and eventually, they go on to be diagnosed with asthma.

Fact No. 3: Asthma Can Be Genetic

Numbers show that if you or your partner have asthma, then there’s a 30 percent chance that your child too will develop the condition. And in case you both have asthma, then this chance increases to 70 percent. This shows that the condition is affected by genetics.
Bonus Fact: Besides genetics, gender can play a role in asthma risks as well. Statistics show that there are a greater number of boys than girls that have asthma.

Fact No. 4: Wheezing May Not Always Be A Symptom

Although wheezing is one of the leading symptoms of asthma, it may not always be there. For some children, the only sign is a persistent cough that gets significantly worse at night. As a result, because the child isn’t wheezing, the symptoms get misdiagnosed as a cold, bronchitis, or respiratory illnesses.

Fact No. 5: Weight Can Play A Role in Children’s Asthma

This can be especially hard to hear for parents, but obese children have a greater risk of developing asthma. The risk grows directly with the increase in body mass. Moreover, amongst the children diagnosed with asthma, it’s noted that those who are overweight may have to use the inhaler more. Researchers think this could be due to inflammation caused by body fat or due to the added weight on the child’s chest.

If you or your child are experiencing any symptoms that look like asthma, get in touch with a general practitioner online.
You can book an online appointment at TelMDCare; we have board-certified doctors for consultations and prescriptions.
Call us today!