Interconnection Between Asthma and Obesity: Health Risks, Immune Impact, and Prevention

Subject: Public Health
Pages: 2
Words: 615
Reading time:
3 min
Study level: College

Introduction

Asthma and obesity are two widespread diseases currently posing a considerable challenge to people worldwide. They can be called independent diseases, and those that correlate with each other to varying degrees. This essay will discuss the relationship between asthma and obesity.

Description of Asthma and Obesity

Asthma is a non-inflammatory disease that manifests itself mainly in the lungs, severely impacts human health, and can be caused by many factors, including infections, disease conditions, and products of its degradation derived from adipose tissue (Bantulà et al., 2021). Asthma causes breathing problems that manifest as choking, coughing, and shortness of breath. Also, this breathing problem can lead to severe complications, including an acute respiratory tract infection. Obesity is a pathological condition caused by excess body weight. When a person accumulates too much body fat due to violating the chemical processes of metabolism, this leads to severe heart and blood vessel diseases, urinary tract disorders, and other problems.

Relationship Between Obesity and Asthma

Asthma and obesity can have a significant impact on a person’s health. There is evidence of a direct relationship between asthma and obesity. In this regard, scientists are convinced that obesity, in turn, can be a negative factor leading to the development of asthma (Bantulà et al., 2021). In this case, a causal relationship was confirmed by both findings and studies. 

Immune Disfunctions

One of the most critical factors associated with the development of asthma in people with morbid obesity is the change in the patient’s immune system. Research shows that obese patients have high-fat metabolites such as leptins and insulin, which alter the immune system and increase susceptibility to allergens (Bantulà et al., 2021).

Cardiovascular Disorders

Obesity can lead to hypertension, stroke, heart attack, and other pathologies of the cardiovascular system. Thus, if people are morbidly obese, their bodies will be more sensitive to allergens, which can lead to asthma. Research also shows that obesity can increase the risk of asthma attacks.

Pulmonary Problems

The changes that occur in the lungs with obesity can exacerbate asthmatic symptoms. In particular, with obesity, a change in the mechanisms of breathing can occur, which leads to a violation of the breathing process and additional difficulties in resisting various allergens. Therefore, it can be concluded that there is a direct correlation between asthma and obesity. However, more research is needed to understand the relationship between them better.

Dual Influence of Asthma and Obesity and Importance of Prevention

Asthma and obesity can cause irreparable damage to human health, so they should be prevented, and attention should be paid to proper nutrition, a healthy lifestyle, and regular medical examinations (Bantulà et al., 2021). Obesity is one of the most critical risk factors for developing asthma in children and adults. In children, obesity is associated with an increased risk of severe asthma and an increased frequency and severity of asthma attacks. In adults, obesity is associated with increased asthma attacks and an increased risk of developing severe asthma.

In addition, asthmatic attacks may be more powerful and prolonged in obese people. Only in this case will one be able to prevent the occurrence and exacerbation of these diseases. Good dietary and physical activity practices can prevent both conditions. Additional medicines must also be used to treat asthma. Obesity can be treated with a controlled diet, regular physical activity, medication, and psychotherapy.

Conclusion

In conclusion, asthma and obesity are two prevalent diseases that are directly correlated. Careful studies have confirmed their relationship, with obesity being one of the main factors leading to the development of asthma. Therefore, to prevent the development of asthma, it is recommended that the intake of fatty foods be regulated, and periodic medical examinations should be conducted.

Reference

Bantulà, M., Roca-Ferrer, J., Arismendi, E., & Picado, C. (2021). Asthma and obesity: two diseases on the rise and bridged by inflammation. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 10(2).