Hi there,
Thank you for continuing to be a part of the Health Storylines community. If you’re managing asthma yourself, or are close to someone who is, you know that it can be challenging to navigate sometimes. How is a condition that is so common, with an estimated 25 million people with asthma in the US alone, still so unpredictable at times?
There are many reasons for this, all of which contribute to why there will never be a one-size-fits all approach to treating asthma.
It starts with your genes 🧬
As you may know, your genes have a role in you having asthma. Some studies have even estimated genetic factors to account for 70% of one’s risk of developing asthma. However, some people who have genetic predispositions may never develop it. How or when a person develops asthma depends on several genes.
It gets even more complicated. Genetics not only influence whether you develop asthma, but potentially how severe it is, and how you might respond to certain treatments.
It reacts to your environment ⛰️
You may already be familiar with your asthma triggers, and you may even recall the presence of certain triggers when you first started to notice symptoms to begin with.
If the variation in genetics affecting asthma wasn’t complicated enough, the effects of the environment are also extremely variable between individuals with asthma. Some might be triggered by allergens, pollutants, viral infections, certain medications, or even strong emotions like stress.
Why does this matter to you?
Your asthma is unique, and your experience may differ from other people you know who have the same condition. Try advocating for yourself in healthcare settings if you feel your condition is not being managed in a way that works for you.
Being equipped with your own data can help you do that, make sure to keep tracking your asthma symptoms so you can be in control on your health journey:
