Asthma: causes

Asthma makes it really hard for children to breathe. This is because their airway passages swell when they come into contact with things that trigger their asthma, like allergens, viral infections, smoke, exercise and weather changes. Children might get asthma because of genes and the environment.

What is asthma?

Children with asthma have inflammation in the small airway passages (bronchi) of their lungs. This makes their airways sensitive to triggers. Triggers are the things that bring on asthma attacks. When children come into contact with triggers, the muscles in the walls of their airway passages tighten up.

When this happens, children have problems getting into and maily out of their lungs. This causes wheezing, coughing, chest tightness and uncomfortable breathing.

Causes of asthma: genes, inducers and triggers

Children with asthma probably get genes from their parents that make it more likely that they’ll get asthma too. This is called genetic predisposition.

If you, your child’s other parent or other family members have asthma, eczema, hay fever or allergies, there’s an increased chance your child will also have asthma.

Triggers of asthma: The most common trigger is a viral infection, usually the common cold. Other triggers include pollens, exercise, changes in the weather, cold air, cigarette smoke, pollution, house dust mites and pets.

Children with asthma react to asthma triggers by wheezing, coughing and becoming short of breath.

Exposure to smoke during pregnancy, or to second-hand and third-hand smoke in childhood, can lead to asthma in children who have a genetic predisposition to it.

Tests for asthma

Most children don’t need any special tests for asthma. Doctors usually diagnose asthma on the basis of your child’s medical history and by examining your child.

Children with more severe asthma, or who have frequent asthma attacks, might need special breathing tests or very occasionally an X-ray. These are often arranged by a paediatrician or respiratory specialist.

Older children with recurrent asthma might need to have spirometry that is an equipment that measures the flow of air in and out of lungs. The doctors might also refer your child to the allergist for allergy testings.