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Asthma is a chronic disease that affects the lungs, causing difficulty in breathing, but based on the symptoms, triggers and age group, asthma is classified into different types. Broadly, asthma can be classified as allergic and non-allergic, where both conditions have different characteristics such as triggers, duration of asthma attacks and severity. Let us understand both the conditions in detail.
Allergic asthma vs. nonallergic asthma:
In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Mahaveer Modi, Consultant Pulmonologist at Ruby Hall Clinic in Pune and Director of Modi Clinic, said, “Allergic asthma is one of the most common asthma symptoms. Allergic asthma symptoms can appear at any age, but generally allergic asthma patients are younger than non-allergic asthma patients. Studies have shown that allergic asthma is more common in men than women. Statistics show that there are significantly more female patients suffering from non-allergic asthma than allergic asthma. According to the literature, the gender ratio is 1.2 females versus 0.8 males.”
trigger:
Dr. Mahavir Modi explained, “Allergic asthma is caused by sensitivity to environmental allergens such as dust mites, pollen, pet dander, mold, etc. If an allergic person comes in contact with these allergens, his immune system gets activated due to the allergen triggers, leading to inflammation and narrowing of the airways. Also, exercise-induced bronchoconstriction is seen more in allergic asthma patients than in non-allergic asthma.”
He elaborated, “On the other hand, non-allergic asthma is triggered by many other factors apart from the allergens listed above. These may include viral infections, weather changes, stress levels, and even certain medications and foods. Similarly, there are also seasonal attacks, i.e. certain months in which patients with allergic and non-allergic asthma generally experience a worsening of the condition. For example, in patients with non-allergic asthma, asthma worsens during the winter season and lessens during the summer season.”
symptoms,
Talking about the symptoms, Dr. Mahavir Modi said, “The symptoms of allergic asthma are similar to those of non-allergic asthma, such as cough, chest tightness, wheezing, shortness of breath, which may worsen with physical activity or exposure to allergens.”
age category,
According to Dr. Mahavir Modi, patients with allergic asthma usually have asthma attacks early in life/in young adulthood. Also, studies show that a family history of asthma is more common in allergic asthma versus non-allergic asthma.
IgE level:
Dr. Mahavir Modi explained, “Immunoglobulin E (IgE) – the antibody produced by the body in response to any allergen trigger, is associated with the severity of allergic disease. Patients with allergic asthma usually have higher total IgE levels in the blood than those with non-allergic asthma. However, based on the symptoms and severity, specific blood tests like IgE level, allergy panel test will be recommended by the treating doctor.”
He concluded, “It is important to understand the different types of asthma for effective management and treatment. If one experiences symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath for a prolonged period, it is advisable to consult a doctor to ensure early identification and proper treatment. By recognizing specific triggers and symptoms, people with allergic asthma can mutually coordinate with their healthcare providers to develop personalized treatment plans that help them manage their condition and improve their quality of life.”
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