When we talk about chronic lung disease, most of us have asthma in our minds. It is a condition in which you have inflamed air passages that cause airway narrowing and limit the amount of oxygen reaching the lungs. But did you know about its types and how they can impact you? We spoke to our expert Dr Praveen Kumar BS, Consultant-Pulmonologist, Manipal Hospital, Yeshwanthpur, Bengaluru, who explained intrinsic and extrinsic asthma, their symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.
According to the World Health Organization, asthma, a significant Noncommunicable Disease (NCD), impacts individuals across various age groups, from children to adults, and stands as the most prevalent chronic condition among youngsters. It manifests through inflammation and constriction of the smaller air passages within the lungs.
What Are The Symptoms Of Asthma?
- Coughing
- Wheezing
- Shortness of breath/trouble breathing
- Chest tightness
“The symptoms of asthma are predominating at night. Most asthma patients will experience similar symptoms but of varying degrees due to varied patient factors. In severe asthma, the patient will feel very breathless and will not be able to complete a speech sentence”, added Dr Kumar.
Also Read: Asthma Exacerbations: Why Asthma Intensifies During Illness And How to Deal With It
Causes Of Intrinsic and Extrinsic Asthma
“Intrinsic asthma, also known as non-allergic asthma, can be triggered by various non-allergic factors, such as stress, cold or dry air, smoke, anxiety, viruses or infections, and more. On the other hand, extrinsic asthma, also known as allergic asthma, is simply asthma caused by an allergic reaction, especially a chronic one. If your asthma is allergic, you will have higher levels of IgE (Immunoglobulin E) in blood tests”, highlighted Dr Kumar.
What Type Is The Most Common?
“It is estimated that around 60% of asthma sufferers have an allergic condition, which makes extrinsic asthma the more prevalent of the two diseases. Based on extensive research, it's found that allergic asthmatic patients are usually younger, while non-allergic ones tend to be older”, added Dr Kumar.
According to the BMC Pulmonary Medicine, extrinsic asthma tends to be most prevalent during early childhood, gradually declining as individuals age. Conversely, intrinsic asthma shows a relatively low incidence until it reaches its peak in late adulthood. Beyond approximately 40 years of age, the majority of newly diagnosed asthma cases are intrinsic.
How Are Both Types Diagnosed?
According to the StatPearls, approximately 66% of asthma cases are identified before reaching 18 years of age. Nearly half of children experiencing asthma witness a reduction in symptom severity or complete disappearance during early adulthood.
Even though intrinsic and extrinsic asthma have the same major symptoms, the diagnosis and treatment differ for both conditions.
“A chest X-ray and blood work will be ordered along with a thorough physical examination to identify intrinsic asthma. Additional assessments, such as a peak flow or lung function test, may be ordered to provide further insight into your condition. After that, the doctor will do an analysis to determine the factor(s) responsible for triggering your non-allergic asthma”, said Dr Kumar.
He added, “When it comes to diagnosing extrinsic asthma, the doctor will likely order all of the above-mentioned tests, as well as a skin prick test, to see what your body perceives as an allergen.”
Also Read: Asthma In Children: Expert Lists Symptoms And How To Deal With It
How Is Each Asthma Type Treated?
After the doctor identifies the triggering factor(s) contributing to your intrinsic (non-allergic) asthma, recommendations for your specific triggers will be made.
“There are various ways to treat asthma, depending on its type and the severity of the symptoms. The treatment involves making changes to your environment, nutrition, and lifestyle. Your doctor may also prescribe medications, including antibiotics and steroids, to alleviate the infection and inflammation. In case your asthma is caused by stress or anxiety, you may need to undergo psychological counselling to treat your non-allergic asthma”, said Dr Kumar.
He added, “Treatment for extrinsic (allergic) asthma usually involves a combined approach, addressing both asthma and allergy symptoms. Asthma management includes medications aimed at reducing inflammation. Simultaneously, allergy treatment varies based on the specific allergen triggering your reaction and the severity of symptoms. It's worth noting that adjustments to your diet and lifestyle may also be necessary.”
If you are suffering from asthma or experiencing any symptoms of intrinsic or extrinsic asthma, make an appointment with a pulmonary specialist. You will be guided through all stages of the disease, from education to diagnosis and treatment.
[Disclaimer: This article contains information provided by an expert and is for informational purposes only. Hence, we advise you to consult your expert if you have any health issues to get the necessary treatment.]