Asthma – Subtypes, Symptoms, and Management Options

Asthma is classified as a chronic respiratory disease that has no cure yet and predominantly affects lung function. Common symptoms include shortness of breath, wheezing, tightness in the chest, and a persistent cough that worsens during the day or at night. It is possible to manage the condition and prevent symptoms from worsening with prescriptions, healthy preventive measures, nutrition, and lifestyle changes. Following is an overview of three subtypes of asthma, their symptoms, and treatments explained.
Eosinophilic Asthma (EA)
Eosinophils are specific white blood cells found in the immune system that are mainly responsible for fighting and warding off external infections that affect the human body. Adults who develop chronic respiratory disorders may also be at risk of developing this subtype. EA happens when the count of eosinophils in the body is elevated, leading to inflammation and swelling of the airways. These symptoms mainly increase one’s breathing difficulties. The higher the eosinophils count in the bloodstream, the more severe will be the symptoms experienced among adults of varying ages.
Since it is a less common subtype, doctors must run several diagnostics to understand changes in the immune and metabolic responses of the body. Most asthma symptoms in similar subtypes tend to overlap, making it difficult to narrow down a specific course of treatment. If left unchecked, EA can severely impact the quality of life. The condition also increases the risk of chronic sinus, ear infections, or the development of nasal polyps.
Eosinophilic asthma treatment
Subtypes need a more focused strategy for treatment execution by combining prescriptions and therapies to ease breathing difficulties.
- Oral formulas and inhalers
Corticosteroids are the first suggested treatment option for managing the symptoms. These are available in oral form and have varying dosage levels. But not everyone responds well to steroid treatments. So doctors also recommend the use of fast-acting inhalers to counter inflammation and open up the airways. Inhalers, however, only provide immediate relief and must be used continually at fixed intervals or when the symptoms flare up. - Modifiers and biological therapies
Certain leukotriene modifiers counter the inflammatory response of eosinophils and are suggested for several types of asthma treatment. Alternatively, pulmonary practitioners also suggest the use of biologics that are delivered intravenously to counter the inflammation and swelling of airways. Note that this form of treatment can only be done inpatient at the clinic.
Exercise Induced Bronchoconstriction (EIB)
Alternatively referred to as Exercise Induced Asthma, this unusual subtype only triggers severe symptoms when those affected perform any physical activity or exercise. The symptoms develop a few minutes after the physical activity has begun and can last well over 15 minutes in some cases, even after one stops working out.
Triggers, risk factors, and symptoms
There are many known triggers of EIB, including airborne and contact irritants in the surroundings. Specific to sports, these triggers could be the chlorine in water, outdoor pollution with athletic activities, extremely harsh snow weather conditions, or even internal temperature changes while performing hot yoga.
Known symptoms of EIB
Common symptoms that develop with exercise include wheezing, shortness of breath, a decrease in endurance, a feeling of tightness in the chest, a persistent cough, sore throat, and even an upset stomach. The severity of symptoms will vary depending on the extent of activity. Since it is a type of allergic asthma, EIB will also require a combination treatment plan to manage and overcome mild to moderate discomforts.
Treating EIB
Severe asthma treatment options combine prescription and effective lifestyle changes to manage and prevent flare-ups in the long term.
- Prescriptions
Doctors often suggest a combination of inhaled beta-2 antagonists (both short-term and long-term), inhaled corticosteroids, leukotriene receptor inhibitors, and long-term asthma control preventive measures for severe bouts of inflammation. - Lifestyle changes
Doctors mainly advise athletes to warm up with gentle exercise to allow the respiratory system to adapt and prevent breathlessness. In chilly weather, it is advisable to cover up the nose and ears to prevent dry air from triggering symptoms. Making subtle changes to daily exercise routines also allows the body to adapt to breathing intensity. It is also recommended to consult an allergist and understand the best severe asthma treatment options by identifying the source and type of allergy.
Pediatric asthma
Pediatric asthma is one of the severe known subtypes affecting young children with chronic inflammation of the airways. It is estimated that nearly 8.4% of children in the country suffer from some form of pediatric asthma. The condition can be allergic, virus induced, or exercise induced, diagnosed from the varied symptoms and discomforts that develop over time.
Children between the ages of 5 and 17 are at an elevated risk of developing this chronic respiratory disorder, especially with a family history of respiratory diseases. Food allergies, environmental allergens, and even an unbalanced body mass index can are risk factors associated with the condition.
Asthma symptoms in children
Daytime or nighttime cough coupled with chest tightness, wheezing during breathing, or severe shortness of breath that increases with activity are all common symptoms that flare up with varying intensities.
Diagnosis and treatment
Pediatric asthma is tricky to diagnose as many symptoms overlap with common respiratory conditions. Doctors perform a range of diagnostic tests to confirm the symptoms. These include spirometry (to check lung function), peak flow monitoring (to measure lung capacity), and chest X-rays (to identify any abnormality in lung tissue). Doctors also conduct allergy tests to identify common allergens that trigger flare-ups.
Treatments for this subtype of asthma are similar to what is recommended for adults. The inflammation and swelling can be managed with a combination of corticosteroids, bronchodilators, inhalers, anti-leukotrienes, biologics, and immunotherapy, depending on the severity of the symptoms. Doctors who specialize in pulmonary medicine are the ideal practitioners to advise on the best course of treatment to improve quality of life.
Note that these subtypes, while unusual in characteristics, exhibit the most common symptoms observed among respiratory disorders. So, it is necessary to get immediate attention for triggered chronic discomforts. If the child or adult is not responding to traditional asthma treatment options, specialized care is suggested for uncontrolled asthma subtypes to manage the overall outlook.