Date of Award

2019

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Natural Sciences

First Advisor

Clore, Amy

Area of Concentration

Biology

Abstract

Due to asthma’s high prevalence worldwide, it is important to understand how environmental factors such as elevation affect the expression of the disease in order to ultimately improve the quality of life of sufferers. This study reviews the biological basis of the disease and examines the impact that low and high altitude have on the expression and severity of asthmatic symptoms. This review was conducted by examining published articles assessing asthma in specific communities located at various elevations. There were notable differences in the severity of asthmatic symptoms among children and adult populations in these communities. It was determined that patients with asthma had lower rates of symptoms, such as wheezing and coughing, in regions of high altitude in comparison to communities located at lower elevations. This review was supplemented with an investigation of regional medical practices used by Andean communities as traditional treatments for asthma symptoms. Their potential to assist research-based medicine was also assessed.

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