Comprehensive Guide to Managing Eosinophilic Asthma
This article provides an in-depth overview of eosinophilic asthma, covering symptoms, causes, and the latest treatment options, including biologic therapies and bronchial thermoplasty, for better disease management.
In the U.S., approximately 25.7 million individuals live with some form of asthma, with around 15% experiencing severe, hard-to-control cases. Eosinophilic asthma is a less common and often more serious subtype, primarily affecting adults. It results from elevated eosinophil levels—white blood cells—in the blood, lungs, and mucus, leading to inflammation and swelling in the respiratory system. While symptoms like coughing and chest tightness mirror other asthma types, eosinophilic asthma tends to be more intense and persistent.
Targeted treatments are available for this subtype. Rescue medications, including bronchodilators like albuterol, are essential for all asthma patients. Many benefit from nebulized albuterol treatments during attacks.
Maintenance drugs such as inhaled corticosteroids improve breathing and prevent exacerbations by inhibiting chemical release from lung cells. In eosinophilic asthma, corticosteroids in pill form may be more effective.
Innovative biologic therapies—designed to mimic human antibodies—are increasingly used. Administered via injections or IV, these medicines block inflammation-causing chemicals in the lungs.
Other medications, such as leukotriene antagonists like montelukast (Singulair), zafirlukast (Accolate), and zileuton (Zyflo), help reduce airway inflammation by countering immune system chemicals called leukotrienes.
Bronchial thermoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that uses heat to destroy airway smooth muscles, improving control in severe cases unresponsive to steroids. Ongoing research aims to develop better targeted therapies beyond standard asthma treatments.
