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Asthma affects 4% of the US population, with allergy playing a key role in its development, especially in children. Viral infections frequently trigger asthma attacks, while breastfeeding may reduce atopic disease incidence.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Allergy and Immunology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Asthma is a significant respiratory disease affecting approximately 4% of the US population, impacting individuals across all age groups.
- Allergy is recognized as a crucial factor in the etiology of both childhood- and adult-onset asthma, particularly in pediatric cases.
- Associated atopic conditions like allergic rhinitis and eczema are common in asthma patients and their families.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the medical and economic importance of asthma.
- To explore the role of allergy in asthma etiology and triggers.
- To discuss the relationship between asthma, infections, and preventative measures.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing studies on asthma prevalence, etiology, and triggers.
- Analysis of the role of allergens, including pollens, molds, and dusts.
- Examination of the impact of viral and bacterial infections on asthma exacerbations.
- Consideration of the influence of breastfeeding on atopic disease incidence.
Main Results:
- Allergen sensitivity is a significant factor in asthma development, especially in childhood-onset asthma.
- Viral infections are common triggers for asthmatic attacks, and patients may have increased susceptibility.
- Seasonal asthma exacerbations can occur in both allergic and non-allergic individuals.
- Breastfeeding appears to decrease the incidence of atopic diseases and infections in infants.
Conclusions:
- Allergy is a primary concern in asthma, necessitating further research into immunotherapy efficacy.
- Viral infections are key triggers, and routine antibiotic use for asthma is not recommended.
- Early life factors like breastfeeding may play a protective role against atopic diseases.
Abstract:
Medically and economically asthma is an extremely important disease that affects about 4 per cent of the United States population every year. Most cases require treatment and many individuals are forced to limit their activities. Asthma is most prevalent in childhood and among older adults and the disease can begin or remit at any age. There is an unexplained predominance of boys among childhood asthmatics. Studies involving skin tests, bronchial challenges, aerometric sampling, and clinical examination have established allergy as important in the etiology of both adult-onset and childhood-onset asthma. Allergen sensitivity is particularly important in childhood-onset disease. The efficacy of allergy immunotherapy in the treatment of asthma is not well established. Seasonal excerbations of asthma suggest sensitivity to pollens, molds, or dusts but may also occur in individuals with nonallergic asthma and may be related to climatic conditions or outbreaks of respiratory infection. Asthma patients often have a history of allergic rhinitis or eczema and these conditions are also frequent in the families of asthmatics. These atopic diseases usually occur at the same time and allergic rhinitis in children should not be considered a harbinger of asthma. Asthmatic attacks are frequently initiated by viral infections, and asthmatic patients appear to have an increased susceptibility to viruses. Bacterial infections are not frequently associated with asthmatic attacks, and the routine use of antibiotics for such episodes is not warranted. Breast-feeding of infants appears to reduce the incidence of atopic disease and infections.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)