Be aware of asthma, its risk factors
By Dana Benson
Asthma is a very serious condition, especially in children, and unfortunately it is on the rise. As many as 10 to 12 percent of children in the United States have asthma, making in the most common childhood condition, according to reports.
Now is a good time to learn more about this chronic illness because May is Asthma Awareness Month.
Risk factors
There are several risk factors for developing childhood asthma, many of which cannot be controlled. These include:
- Presence of allergies
- Family history of asthma and/or allergies
- Frequent respiratory infections
- Low birth weight
- Being male
- Being black
- Being raised in a low-income environment
However, parents of asthma sufferers have a lot of control over one risk factor of asthma – being exposed to tobacco smoke.
No smoking
"When you smoke, whether it's indoors or out, your child is exposed to the irritant," said Harold Farber, M.D., associate professor of pediatrics - pulmonary at BCM and associate medical director of the Texas Children's Health Plan at Texas Children's Hospital. "The most important thing for the parent to do is to quit smoking."
Tobacco addiction is a chronic disease, Farber said, and there are effective medications to treat it.
He encouraged smokers to talk to their doctor and to call the free national smoker's help line at 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) or visit the 1-800-Quit-Now web site for assistance to become smoke free.
Read information about Asthma Awareness Month.
