Can asthma be deteced prior to birth?

Question

i am doing a school project about asthma, here are some other ?'s
how often does asthma occur in the population
what is the cause of asthma
what type of people usually have asthma
what is the treatment for asthma
also if anyone has any cool facts that would be awesome too.
thanks so much for your help!!

Answer 1

I haven't heard of any clinically proven methods to detect asthma prior to birth. There is really no way to determine if YOU ARE GOING TO DEVELOP asthma. There are factors that PREDISPOSE a person to develop asthma, the more of the factors you have, the more the risk.

First, is genetic. If your family has a history of atopy (relating to, or caused by a hereditary predisposition toward developing certain hypersensitivity reactions) such as allergies, skin asthma or asthma.

Second factor is the environment exposure to dusts, allergens, smoke and other irritants. These may be from your place of work, example, if you work in a mine or is exposed to silica, etc.

Third factor is the intake of drugs. Some drugs prescreibed for other diseases may actually trigger asthma (drug-induced asthma), so it is also important to note any medications being taken by a person).

The main culprit for asthma is actually hyperreactivity of the person's airways which leads to inflammation of the airways. Some people do not actually have clinical manifestations even though the airway inflammation is present.

There is also one form of asthma where the clinical manifestation is coughing instead of wheezing. This is called cough-variant asthma.

Asthma is not cured, it is managed. Treatment for asthma depends on what stage a person is in. There is a grading of the severity. Usual medications prescribed are beta 2 agonist and steroids. These medications have side effects but the side effects outweigh the risk of dying from asthma (if severe). Avoiding the asthma trigger is also important.

You can read more by visiting the GINA (Global Initiative for Asthma) website and downloading the .pdf files from the publications area....hope this is really helpful =)
http://www.ginasthma.com/

Answer 2

2

Answer 3

Well It is not really hereditary. I am the only one in my entire family that has it. It has not bothered me since i was like 17 and now I am having attacks again. It is a common problem mostly with people that have allergies. I now have to use steroids and an inhaler (Albuterol). It is like drowning in air. You cant get what you need to breath. In the last 4 weeks I have been to the ER 3 times because I could not breath. I have not had a problem in almost 25 years and now its back. No there is no cure , just remedies. It is also the kind of thing that pisses me off. I drove myself to the hospital and they wondered why...Because When you cannot breath You cannot talk and to wait faor a meatwagon or taxi ..if you can tell them...It's faster to just get there your self. As far as Cool facts...there is nothing cool about it.
i do hope that I helped.

Answer 4

well
1.asthma is herretitary..can also be caused by second hand smoke
2. Anyone can have it
3. Ventalin is a treatment for asthma and it is an inhaler
4. asthma occurs very often in the population.

I have asthma and so does my mother...it is a pain in the
butt...second hand smoke can cause asthma in children and infants..this is why you should not smoke around your children...they are more exposed to ear infections..lung infections..colds..and flus.

Answer 5

Good luck.
Try this site.