Am I at Risk Of Getting Asthma?

Do you have a family history of asthma (a parent or sibling with asthma)?

Did you have a severe respiratory infection as a child?

Do you have an allergic condition, such as atopic dermatitis (eczema) or allergic rhinitis (hay fever)?

Are you exposed to certain chemical irritants or industrial dust in the workplace?

Do you smoke?

Are you exposed to secondhand smoke?

Did you grew up or do you live in urban areas (environments with a high concentration of smog)?

Are you overweight or obese?

Based on your answers you have a low risk of getting asthma. Asthma is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that is characterized by narrowed airways that produce excess mucus, which leads to breathing problems such as coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. Asthma is usually the result of a combination of hereditary and environmental factors. There are factors that contribute to asthma that you cannot control, such as your gender or a family history of asthma, but you can stop smoking, avoid allergens, or achieve a healthy weight. Cigarette smoke irritates the airways, so people exposed to second-hand smoke also have an increased risk of asthma.

Based on your answers you have a moderate risk of getting asthma. Asthma is a common condition that affects about 25 million Americans. It is characterized by inflammation and narrowing of the airways, which causes breathing difficulties. The symptoms can occur constantly or only occasionally. Asthma often affects people with some pre-existing allergic condition (e.g. eczema or hay fever). People who are sensitive to allergens like house dust, pet dander, mold or toxic chemicals usually have an increased risk of developing asthma. Environmental factors such as air pollution (high concentration of smog), cold temperatures and high humidity can be asthma triggers in some people.

Based on your answers you have a high risk of getting asthma. Asthma is a lung disease that refers to the difficulty in passing air into and out of the lungs due to chronic inflammation of the airways. It often runs in families. If you have a parent with asthma, your risk is 3 to 6 times higher for developing this condition, than for a person who does not have a family history of asthma. Asthma can develop at any age, so if you had frequent or severe viral lung infections as a child, you are also more likely to develop asthma.