Essential things you need to know about eosinophilic asthma
A form of severe asthma, eosinophilic asthma (EA) occurs when the body produces abnormally high levels of eosinophils, a type of white blood cell which protects the body from infections. Due to the high levels of eosinophils, a person’s respiratory system can suffer from inflammation and swelling. A rare type of asthma, EA affects 5% of all the adults with asthma. Medical investigators haven’t been able to discover the exact cause of EA, however, several studies are underway to understand this strange reaction of the immune system. Due to the lack of substantial medical evidence, options for eosinophilic asthma treatment are somewhat limited. Therefore, a thorough and early diagnosis is imperative for effectively managing its symptoms. Continue reading to know more about EA, what makes it different, and some self-care tips.
What makes eosinophilic asthma different from asthma?
Although eosinophilic asthma is sub-type of asthma, its symptoms are somewhat different from the classic symptoms of asthma. Therefore, recognizing the difference in the early stages of the condition is necessary so that one can adopt the right treatment options and avoid complications in the future. Here are some essential differences between EA and asthma.
Asthma
- Typically affects an individual since their childhood days.
- Is triggered by allergens such as pet dander, pollen or dust mites.
- Causes swelling and inflammation in the airways of the lungs and is characterized by symptoms such as trouble with breathing and wheezing.
Eosinophilic asthma (EA)
- Mostly affects adults above 25 years of age.
- In most cases, it isn’t triggered by allergens like classic asthma. Interestingly, people with EA usually don’t have any history of allergies.
- May closely resemble chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) rather than asthma, as one of its primary signs is shortness of breath and not wheezing.
- Might not respond well to inhaled corticosteroids, even when used in high doses.
When to see a doctor for EA?
If one experiences the following symptoms for a few days or a week, then they should consult a doctor as soon as possible.
- Shortness of breath
- Tightness in the chest
- Persistent sinus infections
- Wheezing
- Coughing
- Stuffy nose
- Nasal polyps
- Nasal drainage
- Anosmia (a lost sense of smell)
Some of the above-mentioned EA symptoms strongly resemble that of COPD. Therefore, it is essential that one gets timely medical attention to receive the right treatment.
Likewise, one should immediately be taken to the emergency room if they experience any of the following asthmatic symptoms.
- Wheezing while breathing
- Dizziness
- Trouble while walking or speaking
- Taking more than 30 breaths in a minute
- No signs of improvement even after using rescue medications
- Nails or lips turning blue
What are some self-care tips for managing eosinophilic asthma symptoms?
Before adopting any self-care tips for eosinophilic asthma, one should be sure to discuss them with their doctor, especially if it involves any physical activity like high-intensity workouts.
- Getting a flu shot every year as EA makes one increasingly vulnerable to complications caused by flu.
- Maintaining a healthy body weight by exercising daily so that one can strengthen their lungs and immune system.
- Keeping a track of one’s diet to pinpoint which types of foods aggravate or trigger the asthmatic attacks.
- Attempt to quit smoking as it amplifies the inflammation levels in the body and damages the lungs.
- Monitoring the condition by keeping a log of the flare-ups and persistently following the treatment as well as the doctor’s guidelines.
What kind of doctors treat eosinophilic asthma?
Unlike other forms of asthma, EA is a complex condition which is a blend of various factors such as respiratory malfunction, odd immune system response, and at times, allergies. Therefore, based on an individual’s case, EA can be treated by either –
- A pulmonologist
- An immunologist
- An allergist
In most cases, a pulmonologist treats EA. However, if an allergy is involved, then an allergist or immunologist should be consulted so that the best treatment path can be determined.
