Condition Lookup
Sub-Category:
Asthma
Number of Conditions: 2
Non-Allergic Asthma
Specialty: Pulmonology
Category: Obstructive Lung Diseases
Sub-category: Asthma
Symptoms:
wheezing; shortness of breath; chest tightness; persistent coughing (not linked to allergens); symptoms worsen with exposure to irritants like smoke, cold air, or strong odors
Root Cause:
Airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness triggered by non-allergic factors (e.g., infections, environmental irritants, stress, or exercise).
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Medical history, physical exam, pulmonary function tests (spirometry), and exclusion of allergic causes through skin or blood tests.
Treatment:
Inhaled corticosteroids, bronchodilators, leukotriene receptor antagonists, and avoidance of irritants.
Medications:
Inhaled corticosteroids (e.g., mometasone , beclomethasone ) to manage chronic inflammation; bronchodilators like long-acting beta-agonists (e.g., salmeterol ) or short-acting beta-agonists (e.g., albuterol ) for symptom relief; and leukotriene receptor antagonists (e.g., montelukast ) to reduce inflammation. Biologic therapies (e.g., mepolizumab ) may be used in severe cases.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Less common than allergic asthma; typically develops in adults, especially women.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Respiratory infections, occupational exposure to irritants, obesity, smoking, and air pollution.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Manageable with treatment; avoiding triggers is crucial for symptom control.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Severe asthma exacerbations, airway remodeling, and increased risk of infections or bronchiectasis.
Exercise-Induced Asthma (EIA)
Specialty: Pulmonology
Category: Obstructive Lung Diseases
Sub-category: Asthma
Symptoms:
shortness of breath; wheezing; coughing (post-exercise); chest tightness; decreased exercise tolerance; fatigue during or after exercise
Root Cause:
Temporary airway narrowing triggered by physical activity, often due to rapid breathing of dry or cold air causing airway dehydration and inflammation.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Exercise challenge test (spirometry before and after exercise), eucapnic voluntary hyperpnea (EVH) test, or observation of symptom patterns during exercise.
Treatment:
Pre-exercise use of bronchodilators, maintenance inhaled corticosteroids if symptoms are frequent, warm-up exercises, and avoiding exercise in cold or dry conditions.
Medications:
Short-acting beta-agonists (e.g., albuterol ) for immediate relief before exercise; inhaled corticosteroids (e.g., fluticasone ) for chronic symptom control; leukotriene receptor antagonists (e.g., montelukast ) to reduce exercise-induced inflammation.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects up to 10% of the general population and 90% of people with existing asthma.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Underlying asthma, cold weather, dry air, high-intensity exercise, and poor physical conditioning.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Excellent with proper treatment and prevention strategies; most people can maintain an active lifestyle.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Severe exercise limitations, poor physical fitness, and risk of exacerbation of underlying asthma.