All About Eosinophilic Asthma

 

Asthma is a condition in which airways narrow and swell and may produce extra mucus. This can make breathing difficult and trigger coughing, a whistling sound when you breathe out and shortness of breath. For some people asthma is a minor nuisance, for others, it can be a major problem that interferes with daily activities and may lead to a life-threatening asthma attack.

 

Eosinophilic asthma is a type of severe asthma that is marked by high levels of white blood cells. This cell is called eosinophil which is a natural part of the body’s immune system. They fight infections and attack invading bacteria.

 

Symptoms of severe eosinophilic asthma (EA)

 

Though symptoms of EA may vary from person to person, common symptoms are given below.

Shortness of breath, wheezing, chest tightness, coughing, obstructed airflow, sinus infection such as stuffy nose, nasal drainage, and a reduced sense of smell, nasal polyps, higher level of eosinophil in the blood.

 

Some asthmatic patients may experience these symptoms every day in life, and some may go for a long period without having any symptoms. Some people experience asthmatic conditions temporarily like during exercise or with viral infections like colds. Eosinophilic asthma ( EA) is a specific kind of asthma caused by eosinophils. Eosinophils are white blood cells that are a normal part of the body’s immune system. In the case of EA, the easiest step is to perform eosinophils blood test.

 

Once you are an asthmatic patient, you are always an asthmatic patient. You cannot cure this disease, what you can do is to keep it under control because asthma can be life-threatening. Holiday especially Christmas holiday which knocking at the door can be a stressful time because people plan so many things within a very short period and try to execute this. Holiday stress may help flare up the asthmatic condition. Asthma should be controlled with great care because poorly controlled asthma can be life–threatening. If the symptoms worsen, immediately contact a doctor so that the condition does not worsen.

 

Severe Eosinophilic asthma happens when the number of white blood cells called eosinophils is increased in the blood. In the United States of America, nearly 15% of people have a severe asthmatic condition which is difficult to control with standard medications.

The specific cause of EA has not been identified. Common asthma may be triggered by the allergic response but EA does not develop in this way rather it can develop when the body is fighting off a parasitic infection. According to researchers, there are possibilities of genetic connection.

 

How to diagnosis EA:

 

A blood test, sputum test, or saliva test is the only way to diagnosis this condition. A doctor can measure the level of eosinophil in a person’s body with the help of these tests. EA itself is a serious type of asthma and in severe EA, doctors have to conduct a bronchial biopsy to understand the patient’s condition.  

 

In addition to getting the right treatment from your doctor, you can practice some tricks in your daily life to help keep your lungs happy. Stay active and happy. Every day walking helps a lot. Have confidence. Keep a record of your triggers. Keep your friends and family well-informed about the medication you are taking for asthma.