Asthma

defn:  a condition of the immune system which manifests in the lungs as airway hyper-responsiveness to inhaled and/or ingested materials.  This immune hyper-responsiveness results in airway inflammation, and reversible airway obstruction.

It is estimated that about 12 million people in the U.S.A. have asthma.  Each year the number of people suffering form asthma increases.

Researach indicates that there are a number of factors associated with asmtha:

1.  being too clean - also referred to as the "Hygeine Hypothesis" - In the developed world, our obsession with being clean has meant that our immune system comes in contact with fewer bacteria, viruses, and parasites than before.  Our immune systems are programmed during childhood.  If our immune systems are not exposed to bacteria, viruses, or parasites, then our immune system does not receive the proper training it requires.  This lack of training results in an immune system that reacts to benign (non-dangerous) substances such as foods, pollen, or animal dander.

 

2.  vaccinations - although contraversial, this is another factor which is currently being researched.  It is believed that the immune systems of certain individuals, when given certain vacinnes, are trained improperly.  This overlaps with the Hygeine Hypothesis.