According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, approximately 300 million people around the world suffer from asthma. The situation is even worse in the United States, with around 34.1 million Americans being diagnosed with this disease
Asthma causes an estimated 25000 annual deaths worldwide. Below are the most common risk factors that increase one’s chances of developing this life-threatening disease:

1. Family History of Asthma
A Center for Disease Control report states that a person having a parent with asthma has a 3 to 6 times the chance of developing asthma compared to a person with parents having  no asthma.

2. Exposure to Pollution
Air pollution, especially sulfur-dioxide and nitrogen dioxide, causes asthma in some individuals. That’s why urbanites - who are more frequently exposed to these gases, have a greater likelihood of developing asthma.

3. Low Weight at Birth
Premature babies whose birth weights are lower than normal have higher risks of developing asthma.

4. Obesity
Several studies showed that an obese adult, who has a Body Mass Index greater than 30, is twice more likely to develop asthma.

 5. Cigarette smoke
In general, people who smoke or who are exposed to “passive” smoking are at a risk of being diagnosed with asthma.

6. Weather
People in cold or humid conditions often have breathing difficulties, which have been linked with asthma.