According to the World Health Organization (WHO), asthma is a chronic respiratory condition that is characterized by recurrent respiratory symptoms such as wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and coughing.

It is a common condition that impacts millions of people worldwide, with an estimated 339 million people affected globally as of 2016.

Various studies have reported gender disparities in the susceptibility to asthma. This article explores the differences in susceptibility to asthma between males and females.

Prevalence of Asthma in Males and Females

Research has found that asthma is more common in females than in males. A study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that asthma was 30% more common in females than in males.

However, the prevalence of asthma varies between different age groups. In children under the age of 18, asthma is more common in males than in females. However, among adults over the age of 18, asthma is more common in females than in males.

The Role of Hormones

Research has suggested that hormonal differences between males and females may be a contributing factor to the gender disparities in asthma susceptibility. Estrogen, which is a female hormone, is believed to increase the severity of asthma symptoms.

Studies have found that women with higher levels of estrogen are more likely to experience severe asthma symptoms than those with lower levels of estrogen.

On the other hand, testosterone, which is a male hormone, has been found to be protective against asthma. A study found that men with higher levels of testosterone had a lower risk of asthma compared to men with lower levels of testosterone.

Smoking

Smoking is a known risk factor for asthma. However, studies have found that the effects of smoking on asthma differ between males and females. Research has found that the harmful effects of smoking are greater in females than in males.

Females who smoke have a higher risk of developing asthma than males who smoke.

A study found that female smokers were twice as likely to develop asthma compared to non-smokers, while male smokers were only 1.5 times more likely to develop asthma compared to non-smokers.

The harmful effects of smoking on asthma are believed to be due to the inflammatory effects of cigarette smoke in the airways.

Environmental Factors

Various environmental factors have been found to increase the risk of asthma in both males and females. However, the impact of these factors on asthma differs between males and females.

Pollution, for example, has been found to be a risk factor for asthma. However, studies have found that females are more susceptible to the harmful effects of pollution on asthma compared to men.

Research has suggested that female hormones may enhance the inflammatory effects of air pollution in the airways, leading to more severe asthma symptoms.

Obesity

Obesity is a known risk factor for asthma. However, studies have found that the impact of obesity on asthma differs between males and females. Research has found that obesity is a greater risk factor for asthma in females than in males.

A study found that obese females were three times more likely to develop asthma compared to non-obese females, while there was no significant difference in the risk of asthma between obese and non-obese males.

Genetics

Genetics also play a role in the susceptibility to asthma. Studies have identified various genes that are associated with asthma susceptibility.

However, research has found that the role of genetics in asthma susceptibility differs between males and females.

A study found that the genetic risk of asthma was higher in males than in females, suggesting that genetic factors may be more important in male asthma compared to female asthma.

However, research has suggested that the implications of genetics in asthma susceptibility are complex and require further investigation.

Social Factors

Social factors such as education and income have also been found to impact the susceptibility to asthma. Research has found that income and education levels are important predictors of asthma prevalence.

Studies have found that low-income individuals and individuals with lower education levels are more likely to develop asthma compared to high-income individuals and individuals with higher education levels.

However, the impact of these social factors on asthma differs between males and females. Research has suggested that the impact of income and education on asthma may be greater in females compared to males.

Conclusion

In conclusion, gender disparities in asthma susceptibility are well established. Females are more susceptible to asthma than males, particularly in adulthood.

Hormonal differences between males and females, smoking, environmental factors, obesity, genetics, and social factors have all been identified as playing a role in the gender disparities in asthma susceptibility. Further research is required to fully understand the complex relationship between these factors and asthma susceptibility.