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Genetic factors are known to play a significant role in the development of asthma.

The deCODEme Complete Scan analyzes your DNA and provides you with a personalized interpretation of your genetic risk of developing Asthma.

Discover what your DNA says about your health – deCODEme helps you assess your genetic risk of developing Asthma

Asthma is a chronic lung disease that inflames and narrows the airways

Symptoms of Asthma include difficulty in breathing, wheezing, coughing, and a feeling of tightness in the chest. Asthma can be mild, with signs and symptoms occurring only with exercise or exposure to an allergen, or it can be severe and require frequent hospitalizations. In rare but very severe cases, asthma can be deadly.

Asthma affects people of all ages, but most often starts in childhood

Asthma is a common chronic disease, affecting over 300 million people around the world. Onset of asthma typically begins in childhood but it can also start later in life (adult onset). Approximately 1 in every 10 people will develop asthma during their lifetime. In the United States, about 20 million people have been diagnosed with asthma; of these, nearly 9 million are children.

Genetics contribute to the risk of developing asthma

Genetic factors are known to play a significant role in the development of asthma. Three common genetic variants, on chromosomes 2 (in the IL1RL1 gene), 9 (near the IL33 gene) and 17 (near the ORMDL3 gene), have been associated with an increased risk of developing asthma.

deCODEme calculates your genetic risk of asthma

The deCODEme Complete Scan identifies the above mentioned genetic variants and provides an interpretation of the associated risk of developing Asthma in individuals of European descent. For individuals of east Asian descent, the risk of developing asthma associated with the variants on chromosomes 2 and 17 is calculated. Currently, no risk data for the three variants is available for people of other ethnicities.

Environmental factors and genetics are thought to cause asthma

Although the cause of asthma is not currently known, studies have shown that some groups of individuals may be at greater risk of developing asthma than others. The main risk factors for asthma are:

• Environmental risks: Risk of asthma may be higher in individuals who are regularly exposed to allergens, smoke, or chemicals; live in urban areas; or have a history of repeated respiratory infections during their childhood.
• Ethnicity: African Americans have higher rates of asthma than Americans of European descent.
• Age: Although asthma affects people of all ages, it often starts in childhood.
• Gender: Before puberty, asthma is more common among boys than among girls, but after adolescence more women than men are affected.
• Genetics: The risk for developing asthma is increased three- to six-fold in people who have a parent with asthma.

Asthma can’t be cured, but its symptoms can be controlled

Asthma symptoms can be caused by allergens or irritants that are inhaled into the lungs, resulting in inflamed, clogged, and constricted airways. Symptoms related to asthma can also be triggered by respiratory infections, exercise, cold air, tobacco smoke and other pollutants, stress, food, or medications.

Individuals with asthma can decrease their symptoms by avoiding these triggers and by adhering to their prescribed treatments.

Various asthma medications can help manage asthma symptoms

Treatment is primarily aimed at avoiding known allergens and respiratory irritants and controlling airway inflammation with medications. With early diagnosis and preventive treatment, most asthma patients can expect to enjoy a good quality of life.

More information

You can find out more information about asthma by talking with your doctor and visiting these Web sites:

• Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
• Center for Disease Control and Prevention – Health Statistics
• Global Initiative for Asthma
• National Heart Blood and Lung Institute
• World Health Organization (WHO)

This content was last reviewed on February 08, 2010.

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