Non-Allergic Asthma. Causes And Treatment

A big part of my practice is seeing patients with asthma. They often ask me, "Dr. Lubitz, what triggers my asthma and how can I control it?"I tell them first that I have to determine whether they have allergic asthma or non-allergic (intrinsic asthma). The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) states both types of asthma exhibit the same symptoms: coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath or rapid breating and chest tightness. However where allergic asthma is triggered by allergies such as food, pollen and other allergens, non-allergic asthma does not involve an immune-system response (like intrinsic asthma) but is triggered by other factors.The Asthma Center Education and Research Fund states that symptoms that provoke non-allergic asthma include "weather changes, cold air, exercise, indoor pollutants (household cleaners and chemicals cigarette smoke, perfumes), outdoor pollutants (ozone, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide) and strong odors (perfumes, scented sprays, fresh pain, moth balls)."Also, I read an interesting article in the Wall Street Journal that stated that New York's Columbia University Medical Center commissioned a study on asthma that found "an association between asthma rates and phtalates, chemicals used in many plastic products that have raised concerns." Though more research needs to be done.There are a variety of drugs that treat non-allergic asthma. Corticosteriods, such as prednisone, administered with an inhaler, works well for allergic asthma because it "dampens the body's immune response to an allergen, but is less effective on nonallergic asthma. Instead, these patients might be given another type of drug called a beta-agonist, such as albuterol and levalbuterol, which works by relaxing lung muscles."If you exhibit any symptoms of asthma, it is important to see a medical professional immediately.For more information: http://www.nycallergydoctor.com/allergy