Tracking Asthma in Vermont
Asthma is a disease that affects the airways that carry oxygen in and out of the lungs. The airways of a person with asthma narrow and swell and can produce extra mucous, making breathing difficult. Asthma attacks and episodes are serious problems with breathing caused by certain triggers. These triggers can be found in both indoor and outdoor environments. The most common outdoor triggers are pollen, exercise, pollution, particulate matter, diesel fuel, and pesticides. Indoor triggers for asthma include mold, dust, smoke, secondhand smoke, and pet dander.
A cause for asthma has not been specifically identified. Generally speaking, asthma is caused by a complex mix of genetic and environmental factors. These factors can vary for each person who has asthma.