Pharmacy and Health Blog from myGenericPharmacy.com

This is an excellent and important question. I can provide information to help you understand the differences, but it’s crucial to remember that only a healthcare professional can diagnose your condition.

Here’s a breakdown of allergic asthma, other types of asthma, and conditions that can mimic it.

What is Allergic Asthma?

This is the most common type of asthma. It’s triggered by inhaling allergens.

• Mechanism: Your immune system overreacts to a harmless substance (an allergen). This triggers inflammation and tightening of the airways, leading to asthma symptoms.
• Common Triggers: Pollen (trees, grass, weeds), dust mites, mold spores, pet dander (skin flakes, saliva, or urine), cockroach droppings.
• Key Characteristic: Symptoms often occur or worsen in specific situations (e.g., during spring, when visiting a home with a cat, while dusting).

Could It Be Another Type of Asthma?

Yes, asthma has several types, and many people have a combination (e.g., allergic and exercise-induced).

1. Non-Allergic (Intrinsic) Asthma: This type is triggered by factors not related to allergies.
   • Triggers: Cold air, exercise, stress, strong emotions, respiratory infections (colds, flu), smoke, strong odors/fumes, certain medications (like aspirin).
   • Key Difference: Skin or blood allergy tests are typically negative.
2. Exercise-Induced Bronchoconstriction (EIB): Asthma symptoms are triggered specifically by physical activity.
   • Key Characteristic: Symptoms like coughing, wheezing, and chest tightness begin during or shortly after exercise.
3. Occupational Asthma: Caused by inhaling chemical fumes, gases, dust, or other substances on the job.
   • Key Characteristic: Symptoms often improve on days off work (weekends, vacations).
4. Adult-Onset Asthma: Asthma that first appears in adulthood. It can be allergic or non-allergic.
5. Asthma-COPD Overlap (ACO): A condition where features of both asthma and COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) are present. This is more common in long-term smokers or older adults.

Could It Be Something Else Entirely?

Many conditions can cause symptoms similar to asthma, such as shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing. A doctor will consider these possibilities.

How to Tell the Difference: Key Questions to Consider

Discuss these questions with your doctor. They are critical clues.

1. What are your exact symptoms? (e.g., Wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, coughing?)
2. When do symptoms occur?
   • Seasonally (spring/fall)? → Suggests Allergic Asthma.
   • During/after exercise? → Suggests Exercise-Induced.
   • At work but not at home? → Suggests Occupational.
   • At night? → Common in asthma, but also GERD.
   • During times of stress? → Suggests Non-Allergic Asthma or Anxiety.
3. Do you have other allergic conditions? Do you have hay fever (itchy eyes, runny nose) or eczema? This makes Allergic Asthma more likely.
4. What makes it better? Do quick-relief inhalers (like albuterol) work completely, partially, or not at all? Poor response to asthma medication is a red flag for another condition, like VCD.
5. What were you doing when symptoms started? Were you around animals, mowing the lawn, cleaning a dusty room, or under stress?

The Bottom Line: What to Do Next

1. See a Doctor: Start with your primary care physician. They may refer you to a specialist.
2. See an Allergist/Immunologist: They are experts in allergic asthma. They can perform skin or blood tests to identify specific allergens.
3. See a Pulmonologist: They are lung specialists and can perform detailed lung function tests (like spirometry) to confirm asthma and rule out other lung diseases.

A definitive diagnosis often involves a combination of:

• Medical History
• Physical Exam
• Lung Function Tests (Spirometry)
• Allergy Testing

Please do not self-diagnose. The correct diagnosis is essential for getting the right treatment and avoiding unnecessary medications. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, such as severe difficulty breathing, seek immediate medical attention.

Reference:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3085565/
https://nafc.org/bhealth-blog/3-vitamins-that-may-help-with-bladder-control/
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/supplements-for-overactive-bladder

Medications that have been suggested by doctors worldwide are available on the link below
https://mygenericpharmacy.com/category/disease/asthma-allergies/prelone

Emerging research suggests that GLP-1 receptor agonists (such as semaglutide and liraglutide), widely used for type 2 diabetes and obesity, may also have benefits for asthma control. Here’s how they might help:

Potential Mechanisms Linking GLP-1 Drugs to Asthma Improvement

1. Anti-Inflammatory Effects
   • GLP-1 drugs reduce systemic inflammation, which plays a key role in asthma.
   • They may lower pro-inflammatory cytokines (like IL-6, TNF-α) linked to airway inflammation.
2. Weight Loss & Reduced Mechanical Stress on Lungs
   • Obesity worsens asthma by increasing pressure on the lungs and promoting inflammation.
   • GLP-1-induced weight loss can improve lung function and reduce asthma severity.
3. Direct Effects on Airway Smooth Muscle
   • Some preclinical studies suggest GLP-1 receptors in the lungs may help relax airway smooth muscle, reducing bronchoconstriction.
4. Improved Insulin Resistance & Metabolic Effects
   • Insulin resistance is linked to worse asthma outcomes; GLP-1 drugs improve metabolic health, which may indirectly benefit asthma.

Evidence So Far

• Observational Studies: Some real-world data show that diabetic patients on GLP-1 drugs have fewer asthma exacerbations.
• Animal Studies: GLP-1 agonists reduced airway inflammation in mice with allergic asthma.
• Clinical Trials Needed: No large human trials have confirmed this yet, but studies are underway.

While not yet FDA-approved for asthma, GLP-1 drugs may offer dual benefits for people with obesity-related asthma or metabolic dysfunction. If future trials confirm these effects, they could become a novel adjunct therapy for asthma management.

Reference:

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9727043

https://www.abdn.ac.uk/news/24561

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/glp-1-drugs-diabetes-weight-loss-may-also-help-control-asthma

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0954611125002598

Medications that have been suggested by doctors worldwide are available on below link

https://mygenericpharmacy.com/category/disease/asthma-allergies

Over 22 million adults in the US suffer from asthma, making it one of the most prevalent chronic illnesses. Adults with asthma can receive cutting-edge, all-encompassing care at UCLA Health. A comprehensive range of treatments that lessen symptoms and enhance quality of life are available from our multispecialty team. Our program’s highlights include: Team-based care: To provide full-spectrum care, our pulmonologists work with several specialists. We frequently consult with specialists in otolaryngology, allergy, gastroenterology, sleep medicine, interventional pulmonology, radiology, and integrative medicine. When caring for patients with complicated needs, we cooperate to determine the best course of action.

Many adults with asthma also suffer from other illnesses that impact their ability to manage their asthma. These disorders, which are also referred to as comorbidities, include allergies, chronic sinusitis, acid reflux, and sleep apnea. We take all of these things into consideration and collaborate with a range of experts to provide you with the care you require. Education about respiratory therapy: We place a high priority on education to empower you to take charge of your asthma management. You learn correct inhaler use and breathing techniques from committed, highly skilled respiratory therapists and registered nurses. For comprehensive instructions on how to use your inhaler, you can also arrange for a nurse visit.

You can quickly obtain all pertinent tests from our on-site pulmonary function laboratory, frequently on the same day as your doctor’s appointment. Tests for pulmonary function aid in diagnosis, treatment monitoring, and progress tracking. Advanced treatment options: Even with appropriate inhaler use, some people continue to have disruptive asthma symptoms. Biologic drugs that reduce inflammation may be able to help control asthma in these situations. These cutting-edge treatments, which aren’t commonly accessible elsewhere, are provided by our team. Holistic therapies: If appropriate and desired, we can incorporate holistic therapies into your treatment plan in collaboration with the Center for East-West Medicine. Acupuncture and cupping are two treatments that may help manage asthma.

Airway inflammation is a hallmark of asthma, a chronic (long-lasting) illness. Your airways constrict, tighten, and produce more mucus as a result of this inflammation. Your lung function is impacted as the muscle surrounding your airways thickens with time. Although asthma is frequently diagnosed in children, many adults also get the condition. Asthma attacks are symptom episodes that people with asthma go through. Coughing, shortness of breath, and wheezing are some examples of these symptoms.

Understanding asthma triggers
Asthma attacks are frequently caused by particular triggers. Some people successfully manage their asthma by recognizing and avoiding their triggers, which include: Allergies, bacterial or viral infections, environmental irritants like smoke, paint fumes, or perfume, exercise, poor air quality, and temperature changes. However, avoiding all of your triggers can be challenging or impossible at times, and changing your lifestyle doesn’t always help manage symptoms. You might require additional care in these situations. The majority of asthmatics use inhalers to control their symptoms. Steroid drugs are inhaled as part of this treatment to lessen airway inflammation.

Reduce the need for a rescue inhaler, which is a device that administers medication to halt an asthma attack; avoid ER or urgent care visits; and lessen the symptoms of your asthma. Extended use of high doses of inhaled steroids may result in adverse effects. However, to manage symptoms and reduce adverse effects, our pulmonologists collaborate with you to determine the lowest effective dosage. Generally speaking, using inhaled steroids carries far fewer risks than having uncontrolled asthma symptoms. Inhalers come in a variety of forms. We assist you in selecting the medication and inhaler device that best suits your needs and way of life.

https://mygenericpharmacy.com/index.php/therapy,45

A group of progressive respiratory diseases that all impair breathing are collectively referred to as COPD. The two most prevalent types of COPD are emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Breathlessness and coughing are the most common signs of COPD. Even routine tasks like getting dressed can become difficult with time.

We address some of the most widespread misconceptions about COPD in this post. We have two experts on staff to make sure the information we provide is accurate. Dr. Neil Schachter is a medical professor. In addition, he oversees the Mount Sinai Health System’s pulmonary rehabilitation program as medical director. Pulmonologist Dr. Shahryar Yadegar oversees the ICU at Providence Cedars-Sinai Tarzana Medical Center in California. He also specializes in critical care medicine.

COPD is rare
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that COPD was the third most common cause of death globally in 2019 with 3.23 million deaths attributed to it. Dr. According to Schachter, COPD ranks as the fourth most common cause of death in the US. Over 16 million people in America have a diagnosis. In addition, millions more people might go undiagnosed, according to Dr. Yadegar, who spoke with Medical News Today. The American Lung Association (ALA) advises anyone experiencing symptoms of COPD, such as wheezing, a persistent cough, shortness of breath, frequent respiratory infections, and/or significant mucus production (also known as phlegm or sputum), to consult a physician about getting a breathing test known as “spirometry,” which can aid in the diagnosis of COPD.

Only smokers develop COPD
While it is true that smoking is the primary cause of COPD, there are numerous other risk factors as well, such as air pollution, pollution at work, infection, and certain types of asthma, as Dr. Schachter stated to MNT. Ten to twenty percent of people with COPD never smoked. Several factors contribute to the non-smoking status of these individuals, such as prolonged exposure to secondhand smoke, genetic predisposition mainly due to alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, or significant exposure to air pollution. An enzyme called alpha-1 antitrypsin defends the body against an immunological assault. Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is brought on by a mutation in the gene that codes for this enzyme in certain individuals. Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency raises the possibility of COPD and other disorders affecting several body systems.

Only older adults develop COPD
While older adults are more likely than younger people to have COPD, younger people are not immune to the illness. As an example, in the U. S. 2 percent of males and 4 points 1 percent of females aged 24 to 44 were affected by COPD between 2007 and 2009. In a similar vein, 3% of females and 2% of males between the ages of 18 and 24 were afflicted. Dr. According to Schachter, a sizable fraction of people diagnosed before the age of 50 have an inherited form of the illness that results in an alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.

COPD only affects the lungs
Numerous comorbidities, such as diabetes, heart disease, lung cancer, hypertension, and osteoporosis, coexist with COPD. Both “systemic inflammation” and common causative factors may be to blame for the association. Stated differently, certain conditions are more likely to occur in people with COPD because they share risk factors. For example, smoking increases the risk of heart disease and COPD. Simultaneously, medical professionals link systemic inflammation to COPD, which can raise the risk of other illnesses on its own.

People with COPD cannot exercise
Dr. Yadegar states that individuals with COPD may find it challenging to complete physical activities if they do not receive the right guidance. He did, however, add that exercise is advised for those with COPD as it can help them breathe more easily and lessen their daily symptoms. According to him, to maximize better patient outcomes, pulmonary rehabilitation programs usually combine physical exercise with guided breathing techniques. In summary, Dr. Schachter informed us that physical activity is a treatment for COPD, lowering the frequency of exacerbations and enhancing quality of life. Exercise has many benefits when done in the right way and in the right quantities, despite your belief that it is neither safe nor possible. Before beginning an exercise regimen or making any changes to it, make sure to consult your doctor.

There are no treatments for COPD
According to Dr. Schachter, there are a variety of treatments and tactics that can slow down the progression of the illness, such as medication, physical therapy, diet, and vaccinations that guard against respiratory infections, which can hasten the illness’s course. Dr. Yadegar stated that patients may benefit from inhaled bronchodilators, anticholinergics, corticosteroids, and extra oxygen due to a range of presentations. He claimed that these could be made specifically for each individual. Lung transplants or even increases in alpha-1 antitrypsin may also be beneficial for some patients.

COPD is the same as asthma
Asthma typically starts in childhood, and during that time it is often linked to inflammation issues and allergies. COPD is linked to smoking and typically first manifests in the 60s. Nonetheless, an overlap syndrome exists that combines aspects of both. Dr. Yadegar went into great detail: COPD is an illness of the alveoli that is mainly caused by elasticity loss that is mostly brought on by smoking. The main cause of asthma, which is an illness of the airways, is persistent inflammation of the airways. He went on to say that although clinical symptoms of the two conditions may be similar, there are differences in the treatments to provide the best long- and short-term care for patients.

Body weight does not affect COPD
This is untrue. According to Dr. Schachter, being overweight can make COPD-related disabilities worse. In contrast, those with body weights below moderate ranges may have emphysema and have a dismal prognosis. This is another myth: There is no point in quitting smoking if you have COPD. It’s never too late to give up, as Dr. Schachter stated to MNT. He clarified that smoking hastens the lung function loss that comes with COPD. Additionally, he mentioned that using tobacco products can exacerbate the symptoms.

Shortness of breath is the only symptom of COPD
According to Dr. Schachter, dyspnea is a common presenting symptom but by no means the only one. A cough, excessive production of mucus, respiratory infections, and all the symptoms associated with concomitant conditions are frequent indicators of worsening COPD.

A healthy diet cannot help with COPD
In actuality, those who have COPD may experience improvements from following a nutritious diet. A nutritious diet benefits overall health and can guard against exacerbations of COPD and its comorbidities, according to Dr. Schachter, who spoke with MNT. For instance, the connection between diet and COPD was examined in a 2020 meta-analysis based on eight observational studies. The authors draw the conclusion that, in contrast to unhealthy dietary patterns, healthy dietary patterns are linked to a lower prevalence of COPD. In a similar vein, data from another review indicate that eating more fruits, fish, and likely dietary fiber lowers the risk of COPD. In summary, lifestyle modifications can lessen the severity of symptoms even though there is no known cure for COPD. for additional details regarding the etiology, diagnosis, signs, and management of COPD.

REFERENCES:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/medical-myths-all-about-copd?utm_source=ReadNext#6.-There-are-no-treatments-for-COPD

Medications that have been suggested by doctors worldwide are available here
https://mygenericpharmacy.com/index.php?therapy=45