Asthma, defined by doctors as a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways, significantly impacts Canadians. While it can be diagnosed at any age, onset frequently occurs in childhood. Over the past two decades, asthma’s prevalence in Canada has risen, with current estimates suggesting over 3 million Canadians are affected.
Key risk factors for developing asthma include family history, early-life exposure to high levels of antigens such as house dust mites, and exposure to tobacco smoke or chemical irritants.
While allergic triggers like mold, animal dander, pollen, and dust mites are well-known, non-allergic triggers such as certain medications, chemicals, fumes, odors, respiratory viral infections, weather conditions, strenuous exercise, tobacco smoke, and air pollution can also exacerbate asthmatic symptoms.
Urbanization appears linked to increased asthma rates. The exact nature of this connection remains unclear, as studies haven’t fully accounted for indoor allergens, despite their identification as significant risk factors.
Experts are investigating why global asthma prevalence rates are rising by an average of 50% each decade.
Considering that approximately 9.6% of Canadians (around 3 million out of 31 million in 2000) have asthma, the condition’s prevalence is concerning. The global asthma rate increase significantly outpaces population growth, highlighting the seriousness of this chronic disease requiring constant management and medication.
To prevent asthma and other related illnesses, consider these steps:
* Use the least toxic household cleansers available and store all chemicals safely away from children and pets.
* Prohibit smoking indoors and minimize exposure to both indoor and outdoor air pollution. Ventilate your home thoroughly several times daily.
* Be aware that cigarette smoke contains approximately 4,000 chemical agents, including over 60 carcinogens. Secondhand smoke is classified as a known human carcinogen by multiple leading health organizations, including the U.S. EPA. Exposure to secondhand smoke is estimated to cause thousands of lung cancer deaths among nonsmokers annually and contributes to hundreds of thousands of lower respiratory tract infections in young children. If you smoke, prioritize the health of those around you by refraining from smoking in their presence.