Asthma is a common disease worldwide. According to a report from the World Health Organization (WHO), there were recorded 235 million people suffering from asthma worldwide in 2019. Asthma is a chronic disease that attacks our respiratory tract through inflammation (inflammation). The inflammation that occurs causes swelling and high sensitivity in the respiratory tract, limiting the air that will enter the lungs. Furthermore, inflammation also makes the respiratory tract to produce more mucus than normal. This condition also makes it worse for you to be able to breathe easily.
Asthma is a disease that is most often found in children, but it does not rule out that it also occurs in adults and the elderly. The main cause of asthma itself is not known with certainty, but certain symptoms and conditions can trigger the emergence of asthma. This article will take a closer look at the various types of asthma and the symptoms that may arise.
- Allergic Asthma
Allergic asthma is the most common type of asthma. This type is triggered by an allergic reaction to certain substances, such as pollen, animal hair, certain foods, or dust.
Symptoms that may arise include difficulty breathing, wheezing, coughing, and a feeling of tightness in the chest.
- Non-Allergic Asthma
In addition to allergic asthma, there are also types of non-allergic asthma. In non-allergic asthma, asthma symptoms are not triggered by an allergic reaction, but by other factors such as a respiratory infection (such as a cold or flu), physical activity, cold air, humidity, pollution, smoke, stress, and strong spray odors. Non-allergic asthma can happen to anyone, including people who don't have a history of allergies.
The symptoms that arise are the same as those of allergic asthma, such as difficulty breathing, wheezing, coughing, and tightness in the chest.
- Occupational Asthma
Occupational asthma, as its name comes from the word " occupation " in English, is a type of asthma that occurs due to work. One of its characteristics is that asthma does not appear until adulthood and symptoms tend to recover when not working.
Occupational asthma occurs when a person develops asthma as a result of exposure to certain substances at work. These materials may be wood dust, pollen, chemicals, or other substances. People who work in industries such as agriculture, the chemical industry, or jobs that involve exposure to these substances are at risk of developing occupational asthma.
Occupational asthma symptoms are similar to other asthma symptoms and may worsen while at work.
- Asthma Severe or Difficult to Control
Severe asthma, also known as difficult-to-control asthma, is a type of asthma that doesn't respond well to standard asthma medications. People with severe asthma may experience more frequent and more severe asthma attacks, even if they are on the right medication. Severe asthma can significantly affect the patient's quality of life and requires a more intensive treatment approach.
- Eosinophilic Asthma
Eosinophilic asthma is a type of asthma characterized by an increase in the number of eosinophils (a type of white blood cell) in the airways. Eosinophils are cells involved in allergic reactions and inflammation. To find out the number of eosinophils in the airways, a blood test or sputum test is usually done.
The symptoms that arise are the same as those of allergic asthma, such as difficulty breathing, wheezing, coughing, and tightness in the chest.
It is important to remember that each individual with asthma has different experiences and symptoms. Consult a doctor or pulmonologist to get the right diagnosis and treatment according to each individual's condition. Proper treatment and a treatment plan tailored to individual needs can help control symptoms and reduce asthma severity.
Article written by dr. Rudy Kurniawan Putra, Sp.P (Lung and Respiratory Specialist at EMC Cikarang Hospital).