What Is Eosinophilic Asthma And Why Is It Different
 What is eosinophilic asthma and why is it different 
 Asthma is a broad term that includes a number of chronic respiratory diseases. According to estimates, more than 25.7 million people are suffering from some sort of asthma in the country. Almost 15% of this population struggles with severe asthma. 
Eosinophilic asthma is a severe form of asthma; however, it is rare and affects only 5% of the adults in the country.

 What are the symptoms of eosinophilic asthma? 
 The symptoms of eosinophilic asthma are as follows: 
- shortness of breath
 - tightness in the chest
 - wheezing
 - a cough
 - obstructed airflow
 - stuffy nose
 - nasal drainage
 - chronic sinus infection
 - loss of the sense of smell
 - nasal polyps
 - abnormalities in the functioning of the lungs
 - inflammation in the nasal mucous membrane
 
 How is eosinophilic asthma different from other types of asthma? 
 Eosinophilic asthma is a type of asthma. The different types of asthma include allergic asthma, non-allergic asthma, aspirin-induced asthma, cough-variant asthma, and more. Below are some differences observed between eosinophilic asthma and the other types of asthma: 
- Eosinophilic asthma is commonly seen in adults; however, most other types of asthma can affect both adults as well as children.
 - Eosinophilic asthma is not immediately triggered by dust, mites, or other allergens. Allergic asthma is triggered by pollen, dust, pet dander and other allergens.
 - The main symptom of eosinophilic asthma is shortness of breath while most other types of asthma cause wheezing.
 
What are the treatment options for eosinophilic asthma?
- Inhaled corticosteroids are used as maintenance drugs in patients suffering from eosinophilic asthma. They aid in normal breathing and prevent occasional asthma flare-ups.
 - Oral corticosteroids are used if inhalers do not give the desired benefits.
 - Bronchodilators are used as faster inhalers and advised as instant relief medicine. They open swollen airways quickly.
 - Leukotriene modifiers are used to get relief from the effects of leukotrienes, a chemical in the immune system that causes asthma
 - Biologics are available in pills, inhalers, and as IV injections. They block inflammation in the lungs thus giving relief from the asthma symptoms.
 - Bronchial thermoplasty (BT) is advised when other treatment methods do not provide relief. It uses a special probe and thermal heat in relieving the symptoms of eosinophilic asthma.
 
What are the common triggers for eosinophilic asthma?
- Molds
 - Medicines like aspirin
 - Foods like peanuts or shellfish
 - Fur from pet animals, birds, and insects
 - Pollen
 - Smoke from cigarettes or burning leaves
 - Environmental triggers like storms, air pollution, changes in temperature, etc.
 - Grass
 - Smells from cleaners, air fresheners, candles, etc.
 - Intense physical exercise
 - Intense emotional distress like yelling or crying
 
What are some of the self-care tips for eosinophilic asthma patients?
- The triggers for asthma differ from patient to patient. Knowing the triggers will help cope with the condition in a better way.
 - Maintain body weight.
 - Exercise regularly to strengthen your lungs; however, take advice from the doctor while planning an exercise routine, as intense physical exertion can trigger an asthma attack.
 - Get flu vaccine once a year. The complications of flu may trigger the eosinophilic asthma
 - Avoid foods that trigger eosinophilic asthma. Maintain a food journal to help find the components in food that trigger an eosinophilic asthma attack
 - Stop smoking as the smoke may worsen the eosinophilic asthma
 - Ensure hygiene of pets, if any. Ensure pets are kept away from resting spaces like bedrooms.
 - Limit your exposure to molds, pollen, dust mites, etc.
 


