Diagnostic
Groups
Asthma carries
different labels that can be confusing at times. Among these terms:
Atopic
Asthma:
Extrinsic
asthma and atopic asthma are two terms used interchangeably. It
refers to the onset of wheezing, cough, shortness of breath upon
contact of an allergen. The reaction is immunologic and mediated
by IgE. 40% of the population have been reported to be atopic
to an allergen, however only 5% of the population has asthma.
Thus, atopy is not associated always with asthma, and not all
asthmatics are atopics.
Seasonal
Asthma: In
some sensitized individuals, asthma may be exacerbated by seasonal
increases in specific aeroallergens. Examples include birch pollen
and ragweed. Seasonal asthma is usually associated with allergic
rhinitis. This type of asthma occur intermittently with the patient
being completely asymptomatic between seasons.
Occupational
Asthma:
Asthma acquired in the workplace is referred
to as occupational asthma. Many inhalant chemicals are known to
induce asthma in the occupational environment. They range from
isocyanates to platinum salts to complex animal and plant products.
Occupational asthma is often misdiagnosed as chronic bronchitis
or COPD. The diagnosis requires a detailed occupational history,
absence of asthma symptoms before beginning employment, and reduction
of these symptoms on withdrawal from the workplace.
Cough
Variant Asthma: This
type of asthma is characterized by recurrent cough particularly
at night. These patients seldom have wheezing, consequently examinations
during the day are normal. In some, administration of long acting
bronchodilators can be diagnostic.
Keeping Asthma Under
Control
The
first step in controlling asthma is to know the precipitating
factors or the triggering agents to be able to
avoid itdisease. Second, learn how to use the appropriate
tool to monitor the severity
of asthma, and third know what are the effective
medications to abort an asthmatic attack.
