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Asthma: People
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Asthma ... occurs in people who do not have allergies. In these people, chemical irritants trigger an inflammatory response that is initiated in a different way than in allergen-triggered asthma. For example, some people are sensitive to certain common chemical irritants, such as perfume, hairspray, cosmetics, and household cleaners. Other chemical irritants include industrial chemicals and plastics, as well as many forms of air pollution, such as exposure to high levels of ozone, car exhaust, wood smoke, and sulfur dioxide. Current research seeks to determine whether indoor pollutants also contribute to the development of asthma.
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Asthma is diagnosed using a number of breathing–related tests and by ruling out other respiratory conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and emphysema. About 70 percent of people who have asthma ... have allergies, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI). Like allergies, asthma may be passed down. A person is more likely to develop asthma if one or both parents have the condition.
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Asthma is a chronic inflammatory lung disease characterized by recurrent breathing problems. There has been a dramatic increase in the number of Americans who have asthma and in the number of deaths and hospitalizations resulting from this disease. Asthma prevalence has increased from less than 7 million persons in 1980 to more than 14 million people in 1994.
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The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) is a not-for-profit organization of patients serving patients. It is the premier group dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with asthma and allergies through education, advocacy and research. For more asthma and allergy information or support, visit http://www.aafa.org
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Asthma symptoms may flare up from time to time. There is often no apparent reason why symptoms flare up. However, some people find that symptoms are triggered, or made worse, in certain situations. It may be possible to avoid certain triggers which may help to reduce symptoms. Things that may trigger asthma symptoms include the following.
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Asthma may resemble other respiratory problems such as emphysema, bronchitis, and lower respiratory infections. It is often under-diagnosed and many people with the disease do not know they have it. Sometimes, the only symptom is a chronic cough, especially at night, or coughing or wheezing that occurs only with exercise. Some people think they have recurrent bronchitis, since respiratory infections usually settle in the chest in a person predisposed to asthma.
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