Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsIntrinsic vs. Extrinsic AsthmaSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPrognosis and Coping
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Asthma
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prognosis and Coping
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During an asthma attack, inflammation causes your airways to swell and clog with mucous. Muscles around your airways also contract, called bronchospasm. This makes it difficult for your lungs to move air into and out of your body.
Symptoms of Intrinsic Asthma
Symptoms of an asthma attack are similar, regardless of the type of asthma you have. These can include:
Asthma attacks can be life-threatening. Symptoms of a serious asthma attack, called respiratory distress, can include:
Seek immediate medical attention if you suspect you are inrespiratory distress.
While the exact cause of intrinsic asthma is not known, several conditions are associated with it, including:
TriggersIntrinsic asthma also has non-health-condition-related triggers, including exercise, stress, drugs, changes in weather, airborne irritants, and additives in food. Specific triggers can include:Cigarette smokeWood smokeCharcoal grillsPerfumesScented hygiene productsAir pollutionDustChemicals that are airborneDry windCold airDrastic changes in weather conditionsVigorous exercise (called exercise-induced asthma)Strong emotions (crying, shouting, laughing, excitement, anger, fear)Drugs (aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)
Triggers
Intrinsic asthma also has non-health-condition-related triggers, including exercise, stress, drugs, changes in weather, airborne irritants, and additives in food. Specific triggers can include:Cigarette smokeWood smokeCharcoal grillsPerfumesScented hygiene productsAir pollutionDustChemicals that are airborneDry windCold airDrastic changes in weather conditionsVigorous exercise (called exercise-induced asthma)Strong emotions (crying, shouting, laughing, excitement, anger, fear)Drugs (aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)
Intrinsic asthma also has non-health-condition-related triggers, including exercise, stress, drugs, changes in weather, airborne irritants, and additives in food. Specific triggers can include:
Intrinsic asthma affects more adults than children, and is more likely to be a long-term problem than extrinsic asthma.
Your primary doctor will likely send you to a lung specialist called a pulmonologist. There is no specific test for intrinsic asthma. In addition to your overall medical history, the specialist will perform lung function testing.
Age of onset can also be a clue—while extrinsic or allergic asthma typically develops in childhood or young adulthood, intrinsic asthma most often occurs in middle age and beyond.
A variety of asthma treatments are available, depending on the severity of your symptoms.
Short-acting medications (commonly called rescue medications) treat an asthma attack that is actively occurring. Longer-acting medications (called maintenance or control medications) are taken daily to help manage swelling in your airways and excess mucous production.
In some cases, your doctor might prescribe more than one type of medication.
Using a Bronchodilator Inhaler Properly
Another group of medications called biologics are sometimes used to treat severe cases of allergic asthma. The effectiveness of biologics for intrinsic/non-allergic asthma is still being researched.These medications target specific proteins or cells that cause inflammation in the airways.
Corticosteroids can also be used to reduce inflammation in your airways. Other medications called leukotriene modifiers directly target chemicals that cause your asthma symptoms.
Types of Asthma MedicationsAsthma medication comes in several forms. These include:Inhalers (sometimes called puffers):These devices deliver medication into your mouth that you immediately inhale.Nebulizers:Asthma medication used in nebulizer machines comes in liquid form. The machine turns the liquid into a mist that you breathe in through your mouth or a mask that covers both your mouth and nose.Biologics:These medications are given through a shot or an IV infusion.Steroidal anti-inflammatories:These medicationscan be inhaled or taken orally.
Types of Asthma Medications
Asthma medication comes in several forms. These include:Inhalers (sometimes called puffers):These devices deliver medication into your mouth that you immediately inhale.Nebulizers:Asthma medication used in nebulizer machines comes in liquid form. The machine turns the liquid into a mist that you breathe in through your mouth or a mask that covers both your mouth and nose.Biologics:These medications are given through a shot or an IV infusion.Steroidal anti-inflammatories:These medicationscan be inhaled or taken orally.
Asthma medication comes in several forms. These include:
The severity of your asthma symptoms depends on a lot of factors. If you’re able to identify your triggers, and avoid them, you might be able to prevent asthma attacks from occurring. However, this is not very common—and triggers can change over time.
Most people with asthma have to take medication very frequently, or even every day.However, you can take steps to improve your overall quality of life if you have asthma.
A Word From Verywell
While living with chronic illness such as asthma can be stressful, focusing on your overall wellness can help. Incorporate physical activity and stress management techniques, such as yoga, meditation, or guided imagery into your routine and get plenty of sleep. Asthma is a highly treatable condition that can be managed with the right treatment and lifestyle changes.
How Asthma Affects Long-Term Health
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.What are the symptoms of asthma?Hodder R, Lougheed MD, Rowe BH, FitzGerald JM, Kaplan AG, McIvor RA.Management of acute asthma in adults in the emergency department: nonventilatory management. CMAJ. 182(2):E55-E67. doi:10.1503%2Fcmaj.080072Vennera M del C, Picado C.Novel diagnostic approaches and biological therapeutics for intrinsic asthma. Int J Gen Med. 7:365-371. doi:10.2147%2FIJGM.S45259Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.What causes or triggers asthma?Pakkasela J, Ilmarinen P, Honkamäki J, et al.Age-specific incidence of allergic and non-allergic asthma. BMC Pulmonary Medicine. 20(1):9. doi:10.1186/s12890-019-1040-2Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America:Asthma medicines and treatment.
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.What are the symptoms of asthma?Hodder R, Lougheed MD, Rowe BH, FitzGerald JM, Kaplan AG, McIvor RA.Management of acute asthma in adults in the emergency department: nonventilatory management. CMAJ. 182(2):E55-E67. doi:10.1503%2Fcmaj.080072Vennera M del C, Picado C.Novel diagnostic approaches and biological therapeutics for intrinsic asthma. Int J Gen Med. 7:365-371. doi:10.2147%2FIJGM.S45259Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.What causes or triggers asthma?Pakkasela J, Ilmarinen P, Honkamäki J, et al.Age-specific incidence of allergic and non-allergic asthma. BMC Pulmonary Medicine. 20(1):9. doi:10.1186/s12890-019-1040-2Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America:Asthma medicines and treatment.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.What are the symptoms of asthma?Hodder R, Lougheed MD, Rowe BH, FitzGerald JM, Kaplan AG, McIvor RA.Management of acute asthma in adults in the emergency department: nonventilatory management. CMAJ. 182(2):E55-E67. doi:10.1503%2Fcmaj.080072Vennera M del C, Picado C.Novel diagnostic approaches and biological therapeutics for intrinsic asthma. Int J Gen Med. 7:365-371. doi:10.2147%2FIJGM.S45259Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.What causes or triggers asthma?Pakkasela J, Ilmarinen P, Honkamäki J, et al.Age-specific incidence of allergic and non-allergic asthma. BMC Pulmonary Medicine. 20(1):9. doi:10.1186/s12890-019-1040-2Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America:Asthma medicines and treatment.
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.What are the symptoms of asthma?
Hodder R, Lougheed MD, Rowe BH, FitzGerald JM, Kaplan AG, McIvor RA.Management of acute asthma in adults in the emergency department: nonventilatory management. CMAJ. 182(2):E55-E67. doi:10.1503%2Fcmaj.080072
Vennera M del C, Picado C.Novel diagnostic approaches and biological therapeutics for intrinsic asthma. Int J Gen Med. 7:365-371. doi:10.2147%2FIJGM.S45259
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.What causes or triggers asthma?
Pakkasela J, Ilmarinen P, Honkamäki J, et al.Age-specific incidence of allergic and non-allergic asthma. BMC Pulmonary Medicine. 20(1):9. doi:10.1186/s12890-019-1040-2
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America:Asthma medicines and treatment.
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