Gihan Salah El Din Othman Consultant Pulmonologist

?

On the occasion of World Asthma Day, let's explore the triggers behind asthma attacks for effective prevention. Asthma triggers can be indoor, outdoor, or due to other causes. Indoor triggers include mold, often caused by high indoor humidity and moisture. Keeping indoor humidity low can help prevent asthma attacks. Additionally, indoor pets, chemicals, or other irritants can act as triggers.

?

Outdoor triggers may include pollen, air pollution, cold weather, and smoke. Infections such as sinusitis and bronchitis are common triggers, as well as smoking, heartburn, certain medications like beta-blockers and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and physical exercise in some patients. Certain foods may also trigger asthma symptoms.

?

It's important to avoid asthma triggers, get flu vaccinations, and avoid smoking to reduce the risk of asthma exacerbation. Most asthma patients have mild or moderate asthma, but approximately one in ten have severe asthma. Severe asthma requires high-dose inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) with long-acting beta-agonists (LABA), with additional controllers such as long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMA) or leukotriene receptor antagonists (LRA) as necessary to maintain control

.

?

Severe asthma is a heterogeneous condition with various phenotypes, including eosinophilic asthma. Biological therapy is an additional treatment option for patients with severe asthma, reducing exacerbations, hospitalizations, and decline in pulmonary function. There is a correlation between asthma and eosinophils, with the majority of severe asthma patients having eosinophilic phenotypes.

?

Studies have shown that eosinophils play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of asthma, causing inflammation in type 2 immune response. Elevated blood eosinophils are directly related to the frequency and severity of asthma exacerbations. Biological medications target specific inflammatory pathways involved in type 2 asthma phenotypes, effectively depleting eosinophils

.

?

?

Biological medications have been found to be safe for adolescent and adult patients with severe asthma.

?

-Dr. Gihan Salah El Din Othman Consultant Pulmonologist