What Causes Asthma?
Unfortunately we aren't certain what causes asthma, but researchers tend to believe that it is a combination of genetics and environmental factors which put people at risk for the disease. Scientists have identified 25 genes which asthma sufferers share, but some people have these genes and never display any symptoms. Therefore researchers believe that the combination of genetics plus environmental factors (dust, mold, pet dander, pollution, stress, anxiety, etc.) causes asthma.
Hygiene Hypothesis
Another theory which scientists have for what causes asthma is referred to as the "hygiene hypothesis." According to this theory, the rise of Western society and its emphasis on hygiene and sanitation has caused a decline in children being exposed to bacteria. This lack of exposure has caused children to have less effective immune systems leading to an increase in asthma susceptibility. For more information about the hygiene hypothesis please watch the videos below.