Bronchial asthma occurs through different mechanisms depending on age.
Understanding the Development of Bronchial Asthma
Bronchial asthma, a chronic respiratory disease, arises due to inflammation and narrowing of the airways in the lungs. While the exact cause isn't always clear, several factors contribute to its development. It's crucial to distinguish between childhood and adulthood asthma, as the underlying mechanisms often differ.
Causes of Bronchial Asthma
| Cause | Description | Age Group |
|---|---|---|
| Allergies | Allergic reactions trigger inflammation and airway constriction in response to allergens like pollen or pet dander. | Children |
| Non-allergic | Occurs independent of allergies. | Adults |
| Viral Infection | Viral infections of the lower respiratory tract can trigger inflammation of airways leading to asthma. | Adults |
Childhood Asthma
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Allergies: In children, bronchial asthma is usually due to allergies. This means that exposure to allergens like pollen, dust mites, or pet dander triggers an immune response that leads to inflammation and narrowing of the airways.
- Example: A child allergic to pollen might experience asthma symptoms during the pollen season.
Adult Asthma
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Non-Allergic Asthma: In adults, particularly in 30% to 50% of cases, allergies cannot be identified as the cause using standard allergy testing. This type of asthma can be triggered by factors other than allergies.
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Viral Infections: Non-allergic asthma in adults can arise after a viral infection of the lower respiratory tract.
- Example: A severe bout of bronchitis caused by a virus might lead to the development of asthma in some individuals.
In summary, bronchial asthma arises through different pathways: allergies are often the culprit in childhood, whereas in adulthood, triggers can be non-allergic (including post-viral infections).
