Can Asthma Be Genetic | Can Asthma Be Inherited

Can asthma be inherited? Is there any test to determine whether someone will develop asthma? Which are the different types of asthma?

Can Asthma Be Genetic

Asthma is not inherited. But individuals maybe born with a genetic predisposition to develop the disease, a state known as atopy (a genetic disorder involving the mast cells found in bronchial tree and elsewhere in the body, they release chemicals that provoke asthma).

The chances of having this predisposition to asthma are greater if someone in the immediate family example parent, sibling or grandparent has asthma.

Research has been conducted on the role of genetics in asthma. And it showed that there was atleast one gene for atopy, on chromosome number 11. And later the affected part of the chromosome was identified. The abnormal gene produces an abnormal receptor on certain cells (mast cells) for a type of antibody, prevalent in asthma that causes the problem.

There are no tests available to determine whether someone will develop asthma. Medical science has yet to device a way.

Even in presence of a strong history of asthma doctors are unable to tell if an individual will develop asthma, if it will be chronic or intermittent, what will trigger it and when will it become active. In children however a skin problem called atopic dermatitis (long lasting and sometimes severe skin condition with a genetically induced allergic basis) often indicates asthma in the future.

Types of Asthma

Asthma has been classified into two categories

• Extrinsic asthma
• Extrinsic and intrinsic asthma

Also read about Bronchial Surgery to open Breathing Airways