Question: why do people suffer with asthma?

Audra Benjamin answered on 20 Mar 2012:

Asthma occurs when the airway is irritated and the airway muscles contract. There is a theory that living in the city increases the chances of having asthma compared to living in the country.

Asthma UK says that asthma can start at any age. It is difficult to know what causes asthma, but so far they know that: if one or both of your parents have asthma you are more likely to have it; many aspects of modern lifestyles – such as changes in housing and diet and a more hygienic environment – may have added to the rise in asthma; smoking during pregnancy increases the chance of a child developing asthma; being exposed to cigarette smoke increases the chance of developing asthma; irritants in the workplace such as dust and chemicals may lead to a person developing asthma; environmental pollution can make asthma symptoms worse.