Home

Tag: Asthma

  • What is Eosinophilic Asthma? Signs and Symptoms

    What is Eosinophilic Asthma? Signs and Symptoms

    Nearly one in twelve people in the US suffers from some form of asthma. As research into the conditions that underly asthma has gotten more robust, it has become apparent that asthma is not just one condition, but several that can cause similar symptoms. One such condition is eosinophilic asthma. Unlike traditional asthma, it requires some distinct treatments.

    Today we’re looking at eosinophil asthma, its symptoms, its causes and how it is diagnosed and treated. It’s distinct from asthma in a number of noteworthy ways. If you feel like you might be suffering from asthma, speak to your doctor. They will be able to help you narrow down your symptoms and figure out what is causing your ailment.

    Eosinophilic Asthma

    Eosinophilic asthma, commonly shortened to EA, is a severe form of asthma. One of its telltale signs is a very high level of white blood cells in the body. Namely, the condition is marked by the white blood cells in the body causing inflammation in the airways, stopping the normal flow of oxygen throughout the body.

    Typically, white blood cells serve a role in the immune system, helping the body to isolate and obliterate foreign contagions. However, in cases of EA, the body’s overabundance of these white blood cells causes swelling and airway blockages, leading to full-blown asthma attacks.

    Symptoms

    The symptoms of EA are often similar to those of traditional asthma, and some of these symptoms even share similarities to chronic pulmonary obstructive disorder, or COPD. Symptoms can include shortness or breath, wheezing, chronic sinus infection symptoms, coughing, chest tightness, obstructed breathing and even nasal polyps.

    One of the most notable symptoms, of course, is the high level of eosinophils in the blood, from which EA derives its name. Since the symptoms of this condition closely mirror several other conditions, it’s important you work with your doctor to understand what exactly is causing your symptoms, so you get the proper treatment for the condition you’re suffering from.

    Diagnosis

    Often, people are first diagnosed with traditional asthma, even if they have EA. This is because EA’s symptoms are so similar to those of traditional asthma, and some of the only tests that can easily determine if this isn’t the case is bloodwork. As such, asthma sufferers who aren’t responding well to traditional asthma treatment, like inhalers, might be suffering from EA.

    Other tests that might be able to determine the presence of EA, instead of asthma, would be a physical exam. If the physical found that the patient suffered from nasal polyps, that could be an indicator that they were dealing with EA, instead of asthma.

    Treatment

    Inhaled corticosteroids, the common treatment for traditional asthma, may have less effect on someone suffering from EA. Larger doses might have some impact early on, but constantly increasing the dosage has diminishing returns and stops helping after a time. As such, doctors typically prefer to address the inflammation cause by EA through different medications.

    One such medication is a corticosteroid in pill form, which can have some success in preventing inflammation. However, these have a number of side effects that inhaled corticosteroids don’t usually entail. Likewise, rescue inhalers might be prescribed, but they have diminishing returns for people with EA.

    Other treatment options could include leukotrienes modifiers, which help to keep the impact of eosinophils down. Leukotrienes tend to pair up with eosinophils, so modifying them can impact the inflammatory nature of the eosinophils. Another option for treatment is biologic therapies, medications that block out chemicals that are typically connected to causing inflammation in the body. These medications are usually delivered via an IV or an injection, as they operate best intravenously.


  • Adult Asthma: What You Should Know

    Adult Asthma: What You Should Know

    Asthma is often misconstrued as a children’s disease, the type of thing you grow out of. However, this is not the truth. Many adults actively struggle with asthma symptoms, and some adults don’t even realize what they are dealing with.

    Adult Asthma

    What is Asthma?

    Asthma is a respiratory condition caused by a sudden constriction of air passages in the lungs called bronchi. When these bronchi constrict, it makes it difficult to draw air into one’s lungs, resulting in coughing, chest pain and wheezing. Adults often notice these side effects when they’re exercising or otherwise respirating heavily.

    Many people who aren’t often active may even be unaware of their own asthma. These symptoms, to them, simply feel as though they are out of shape or short on breath. These people are often too embarrassed by their physical state to seek out help.

    Could You Have Asthma?

    Here’s the thing: asthma is a serious issue. If you feel like something isn’t right with your breathing, you need to seek help from your doctor. If you had asthma as a child, you’re at a much higher risk of having the condition as an adult. Some women are at higher risks of developing asthma after becoming pregnant or experiencing menopause.

    People with acid reflux are also at an increased risk of developing asthma. Additionally, if you experience seasonal allergies, you could be at a higher risk of developing the breathing condition. When you feel like something isn’t right with your breathing, it isn’t something you should ignore. See your doctor about any abnormalities with your respiration.

    Seeking Treatment

    Your doctor can diagnose what your breathing issues are. When you feel as though something isn’t right, don’t hesitate to see a medical professional. If you’re diagnosed with asthma, you may be prescribed an inhaler. Inhalers contain medication that is to be inhaled in order to relief the bronchial spasms that constrict breathing.

    Asthma attacks can be deadly if they lead to unconsciousness. Essentially, sufficiently serious asthma attacks cause the victim to suffocate. If you have an inhaler with you, however, you can simply administer the medicine to allow your lungs to return to a normal breathing pattern. This could be potentially life-saving!

  • Do You Have Eosinophilic Asthma? The Signs

    Do You Have Eosinophilic Asthma? The Signs

    Eosinophilic asthma, as opposed to allergic asthma, has some distinct differences. People suffering from eosinophilic asthma typically experience shortness of breath and wheezing due to an elevation of blood eosinophils.

    Allergic asthma, by contrast, tends to occur when someone is exposed to animal dander or another allergen. Could you be suffering from eosinophilic asthma? Here are the common signs and symptoms.

    Eosinophilic Asthma

    History

    Eosinophilic asthma has been known about for about 100 years. As long ago as the 1950s, it was known that severe chronic asthma shows an elevation of eosinophils. Recently, there’s been even more focus on reducing eosinophils in order to help treat this type of asthma.

    Details

    Eosinophilic asthma is often rather severe and is more commonly seen developing in adults. Inflammatory cells infiltrate airways, blocking the passage of air, leading to shortness of breath and wheezing. A lot of people with eosinophilic asthma have no history of allergies, though allergies are another common cause of asthma.

    Those of have eosinophilic asthma have increased eosinophils in their blood and tissues, meaning that their entire respiratory system is being affected. Chronic sinus disease is common among those suffering from this type of asthma.

    Those with higher levels of eosinophils in their blood have been shown to have a higher risk of future asthma attacks. These can range in severity a good bit from patient to patient. If you think you may have asthma, speak to your doctor about it.

    Causes

    It’s unknown, at present, what causes eosinophilic asthma. Typically, patients don’t have allergies, and modern medical science is unsure of how this type of asthma starts. However, there are treatments that involve combating the high number of eosinophils.

    Symptoms

    Those suffering from eosinophilic asthma tend to have symptoms like coughing, wheezing, tightness of the chest and difficulty breathing. Airflow obstructions are also common. Notably, those suffering from this type of asthma typically don’t have allergies and their asthma attacks are unrelated to outside factors.

    Chronic nasal polyps and inflamed nasal membranes are also common symptoms. If you’re suffering from symptoms like this, speak to your doctor. They may be able to diagnose the issue and could prescribe you medicine to combat this type of asthma.

  • Facts You Need to Know about Adult Asthma

    Facts You Need to Know about Adult Asthma

    There are people who erroneously think of asthma as the sort of thing you grow out of. The fact of the matter is, there are many adults with asthma. In fact, some even develop new or worsening asthma symptoms as they get older. Here are some important facts you need to know about adult asthma.

    Facts You Need to Know about Adult Asthma

    Symptoms

    Asthma is caused by a constriction of the bronchi while breathing. This often manifests as shortness of breath, wheezing, chest pain and/or tightness in the chest. For many adults, they notice these symptoms most strongly when they are exerting themselves, whether they are working out or simply have a physically demanding job.

    Many adults don’t even know that they have asthma, especially those who aren’t active often. They get short of breath and simply brush it off. If you feel like something is wrong with your breathing, don’t be ashamed to see your doctor.

    Risks

    Those who had asthma as children are at a naturally higher risk of developing adult asthma. People with severe seasonal allergies are also more susceptible to asthma symptoms than those without. Women who are pregnant or going through menopause may be at higher likelihood of developing asthma as well. The hormones released during these experiences can inflame the lungs.

    Those with GERD, or acid reflux, could be at a higher risk for asthma as well. The presence of acid can trigger a bronchial spasm and cause irritation that leads to asthma. Some people are at higher risk due to their jobs. Those who work around fumes or dust that they can inhale may find their lungs inflamed and develop adult-onset asthma.

    Treatment

    If you think you have asthma, see your doctor. People who are diagnosed with asthma carry inhalers that are full of medicine to help your lungs relax when experiencing bronchial spasms. This can be life-saving, as asthma attacks could cause you to fall unconscious.

    Asthma is a serious thing. If you feel like you are constantly short of breath and can’t ever catch up, you may be living with asthma. There’s nothing wrong with seeing a doctor.

  • Facts You Need to Know about Adult Asthma

    Facts You Need to Know about Adult Asthma

    There are people who erroneously think of asthma as the sort of thing you grow out of. The fact of the matter is, there are many adults with asthma. In fact, some even develop new or worsening asthma symptoms as they get older. Here are some important facts you need to know about adult asthma.

    Facts You Need to Know about Adult Asthma

    Symptoms

    Asthma is caused by a constriction of the bronchi while breathing. This often manifests as shortness of breath, wheezing, chest pain and/or tightness in the chest. For many adults, they notice these symptoms most strongly when they are exerting themselves, whether they are working out or simply have a physically demanding job.

    Many adults don’t even know that they have asthma, especially those who aren’t active often. They get short of breath and simply brush it off. If you feel like something is wrong with your breathing, don’t be ashamed to see your doctor.

    Risks

    Those who had asthma as children are at a naturally higher risk of developing adult asthma. People with severe seasonal allergies are also more susceptible to asthma symptoms than those without. Women who are pregnant or going through menopause may be at higher likelihood of developing asthma as well. The hormones released during these experiences can inflame the lungs.
    Those with GERD, or acid reflux, could be at a higher risk for asthma as well. The presence of acid can trigger a bronchial spasm and cause irritation that leads to asthma. Some people are at higher risk due to their jobs. Those who work around fumes or dust that they can inhale may find their lungs inflamed and develop adult-onset asthma.

    Treatment

    If you think you have asthma, see your doctor. People who are diagnosed with asthma carry inhalers that are full of medicine to help your lungs relax when experiencing bronchial spasms. This can be life-saving, as asthma attacks could cause you to fall unconscious.
    Asthma is a serious thing. If you feel like you are constantly short of breath and can’t ever catch up, you may be living with asthma. There’s nothing wrong with seeing a doctor.