Overview
Classification of allergic and non-allergic asthma has gained support from the more recent studies on the basic causes of the disease. The chronic disease of the lungs in which the breathing airways become blocked, inflamed, and narrowed is called Asthma.
What is Non-allergic asthma?
Non-allergic asthma is not related to an allergy trigger like dust, pollen, etc. It is less common than allergic asthma. The majority of this type of asthma occurs after middle life and result from regular infections of the upper and lower respiratory tract. If your asthma symptoms grow in severe weather, either in the heat of summer or the chill of winter.
When you get sick if it often causes an asthma attack. If stress brings on breathing problems. If this is the case then it is possible, that you are suffering from non-allergic asthma. As of 2009 in the United States, asthma affects about 1 in every 12 adults and 1 in 10 children.
Symptoms of Non Allergic asthma
An asthma attack which is also called (an asthma flare-up or asthma episode) can occur at any time in life. This attack may last only a few moments, but some severe attacks can last for some days. During the attack, the airways become narrow, inflamed, and filled with mucus.
Generally, the symptoms of non-allergic asthma are the same as allergic asthma. The most common symptoms include:
- Coughing, especially during exercise and at night
- Wheezing or whistling sounds during breathing
- Difficulty Breathing
- Chest Pain
- Chest tightness
- Shortness of Breath
- Mucus in airways
Triggers and Causes
The exact cause of non-allergic asthma is not fully understood. As the name shows, non-allergic asthma is triggered by factors other than the allergen. According to the experts, the combination of genetic and environmental factors plays a role in the development of asthma.
Non-allergic asthma may be triggered by a wide range of non-allergy related factors, some of the triggers include:
- Anxiety
- Changes in weather
- Stress
- Dry air
- Cold air
- Air pollution
- Cigarette Smoke
- Wood smoke or fireplace
- Chemicals
- Viral respiratory infections
- Hormone Fluctuations
- Strenuous Exercise
- Poor air quantity
- Drugs
- Acid reflux
Pointing out your triggers can be more difficult with nonallergic than allergic asthma.
Diagnosis of Non-allergic asthma
Asthma can be caused by many factors, even in the same person. But allergies are the most common of these causes. Every person with asthma or suspected of asthma should be diagnosed by an allergy specialist (Allergist) to determine if this common cause plays a role in breathing problems.
If symptoms of asthma attack become severe it can lead to hospitalization. It is important to stay hawked-eye about avoiding your triggers.
An allergist can determine if you are non-allergic asthma by doing some tests. They are specially trained, to take control of your asthma and allergies. In order to so you can live life as you want.
Treatment of Non-allergic asthma
It can be harder to identify your triggers, When you can’t tie your asthma to a specific allergen, such as Dust-mite or dog fur. It is very important to work with an allergist, to get the root of your asthma or allergy and build a plan to manage it.
In nonallergic asthma, people with asthma usually have a negative allergy skin test, so they often won’t benefit from allergy medications and allergy shots. Medication for this type of asthma is used both to prevent an attack before it starts and an attack that has already started.
