Genetics of Asthma
Much research has been done in the past recently years about the genetics of asthma and what exactly causes it. Many all that have done research claim that asthma “ the procession from linkage to the actual identification of the gene has proven to be difficult” that being said plenty of work done in labs and experiments provide evidence of chromosomes, diseases, and of the environment that shows asthma is genetic (Koppelman et al). In this paper I hope to provide the average person with the same knowledge that I have attained by reading theses scholarly articles that ultimately showed that, even though the exacts of the genes of asthma are unknown, educational information has been provided to make many hypothesizes in order
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Blumenthal and Malcolm N. Blumenthal, focuses mostly on the multiple genes in asthma and other disorders This third academic text is titled “Genetics of Asthma”. The authors, Jacob and Malcolm Blumenthal, believe that, while a lot of the information that is already know helps tremendously, “A deeper understanding of these genetic bases and the roles that environmental factors play in the development and manifestations of these conditions will provide better methods of diagnosis and treatment” (Blumenthal). Blumenthal compares asthma to atopy and the skin test reactivity, the test for allergies by scratching the skin with chemicals of allergens, he speaks of the relatedness threw the similarities that they all share in chromosomal sites in atopy and asthma. It was also recorded in his research that even their phenotypes show similarities in different chromosomal areas. Blumenthal states that the explanation behind this is that both asthma and atopy are phylogenetic, meaning that they both need multiple genes to function. A better way to explain this is by giving an example of this. Imagine you have three different genes “a”, “b”, and “c” and they are all involved with the skin test reactivity. Without all 3 genes it cannot develop. At the same time to develop asthma you need genes “c”, “d”, and “e” while the gene “c” is needed for atopy to develop. You can go further into depth by saying genes “a” and “d” are needed for the development of the skin and genes “b” and “e” are needed for lung function. Adding this to the environment may cause a shift in the balance in the human body and bring about the gene “c.” Both asthma and atopy are connected disorders that are also connected to the environment. Because of these connections, they may interact with each other
To better understand the impact of asthma, a brief overview of the causes (aetiology) and disease progression (pathophysiology) must be shown. As common as asthma is, not much is known about its aetiology, according to findings presented by Subbaroa, Mandhane and Sears (2009, pg. 181-187) in a review from the Canadian
Asthma is a chronic condition affecting the respiratory system and has a considerable impact on both individuals and a population. Everybody is susceptible to asthma, some more than others, depending of a variety of factors including, age, sex, geographical location and income. Asthma is particularly prevalent in younger children and the elderly and while it can be fatal, most people have mild cases of asthma that are relatively easy to treat. The condition mainly impacts an individual’s physical ability to contribute to a community.
About 10% of American children have asthma (Thakur et al., 2013). It is vital to understand what determinants cause childhood asthma to understand even with a low percentage, why it is still present. According to Williams et al., asthma is a health outcome which is a major impact on American youth (Williams et al., 2009). This health outcome not only impacts them throughout the years of being a child, but it has the potential of creating more serious health problems in the future. And without knowing what the causes are, it increases the rate asthma among children and prevents treatments from being implemented. It needs to be addressed by using results from prior studies in order to show how much of a problem childhood asthma is but also in finding and understanding the other underlying
I. Introduction: Looking at Asthma and breaking it down to fully understand the chronic disease.
The ultimate goal of the workshop was to provide recommendations to the Institiute to fill in the gaps of the knowledge of lung disease genetics by applying different approaches.The workshop covered
The good thing about asthma is that there are a lot of medications available to help treat asthma sufferers with acute onset of symptoms as well as help with the long term prognosis of patients. Asthma medications are classified into two groups, Controller and quick-relief. Controller medications are designed to help prevent asthma attacks. Their purpose is to try and reduce the chronic inflammation thus making the body less likely to react to triggers. Some of these include long-acting beta-agonists, Leukotriene modifiers, Mast cell stabilizers, Theophylline, and immunomodulators. Long-acting beta agonists are bronchodilators that assist in opening up your airways. These are normally aerolized medications. The bronchodilator causes the muscles
Asthma and Allergy are accepted conditions that involve both genetics and environmental bothers (contributions). Also, this type of condition is a disease striking the cells of the human body’s immune system; however, it is inflammatory response to a normally
However on the other hand whether genetics plays an important role in the development of asthma has been strongly accepted as numerous family and twin studies have been made. “Genome-wide linkage studies and case-control studies have identified 18 genomic regions and more than 100 genes associated with allergy and asthma in 11 different populations” (Subbarao, Mandhane, and Sears
Unfortunately, no one actually knows what causes asthma, and hasn’t yet figured out how to cure it. If someone in an individual’s family has asthma then they are more likely to have it.
Asthma is one lifestyle disease that affects the body’s systems greatly. In the year of 2004/05 asthma was a multi-million dollar industry at $606 million. In 2007/08 asthma prevalence is responsible for over 9.9% of the population in Australia, which is almost 2,
I have chosen to research Asthma because it one I am familiar with due to the fact that many of my friends have it. It makes me sad when those of my friends have so sit out on activates due to the illness, or else can’t even go outside in certain conditions. Luckily, there are ways to help treat Asthma, but no known cure for it. That’s why I would like to research this disease so I can help raise some awareness of it and better understand my friend’s perspective of having asthma.
Asthma, a chronic respiratory disease, affects countless people around the globe each and every year (WHO, 2014, para. 1-2). Although this respiratory disease can affect people of all ages, it is most prominent during the childhood years (Adams et al, 2014, p.587). Specifically, as defined by the text, Pharmacology for Nurses: A Pathophysiologic Approach asthma is defined as, “a chronic pulmonary disease with inflammatory and bronchospasm components” (Adams et al, 2014, p. 586). This inflammation and tightening of the airways makes it very difficult for a person with asthma to fill their lungs with air and thus they have great difficulty when trying to breathe (WHO, 2014, para 1-2). Furthermore,
5) Asthma is chronic obstructive lung conditions that is condemned of triggers and attacks. Since we now know that asthma has many triggers and causes, well in response to coming in contact with its trigger the mast cells of the immune system, which are found in loose connective tissue, are responsible for releasing vasoactive which are action on vessels, chemical mediators, including histamine, bradykinin, leukotrienes, cytokines and prostaglandins. Chemotactic (produces specific cell movement) chemical mediators released from the mast cells cause neutrophils, lymphocytes and eosinophils to infiltrate the cells of the bronchial lining. These target the respiratory system and cause bronchoconstriction, vascular congestion, vasodilation, increases in capillary permeability, mucosal edema, impaired mucociliary action (removal of mucus and contaminants within the bronchial tree by movement of the cilia inside the bronchioles), and increased mucus production, which leads to an increase in airway resistance. These pathophysiologic factors produce the typical clinical presentation of asthma. (Allergic Asthma and Rhinitis Comorbidity, P.
Asthma is a chronic non-contagious disease that according to the World Health Organization, affects nearly 235 million people throughout the world and is responsible for causing 250,000 deaths per year. In the United Sates, it affects more than 18 million adults and 7 million children. Asthma is characterized by hyperresponsiveness of the lungs to allergens, episodic bronchoconstriction, chronic inflammation of the airways, excessive mucous production, airway remodeling and reduced lung function. Together, these signs produce symptoms of breathlessness, coughing, chest tightness and wheezing attacks (Kudo et al. 2013). Some common risk factors include premature birth (Jaakkola 2006), low birth weight (Liu 2014), maternal cigarette smoking (Burke
*Biology-Pre Dental Program, Department of Biology, School of Mathematics Science and Engineering, University of the Incarnate Word