Blood Test for Asthma

What is Asthma?

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory respiratory condition. Regular follow-ups are crucial to monitor the progression of the disease. Your healthcare professional will suggest a treatment plan to keep your asthma in control. The most common asthma symptoms include breathing issues, wheezing, a tight chest, and coughing. 

About 35 million people in India have asthma. Additionally, out of 25 million asthmatics in the U.S, about 5.5 million are children. 

What is an Asthma Attack?

An asthma attack occurs due to the sudden worsening of asthma symptoms. When you breathe normally, free of asthma and asthma symptoms, the muscles surrounding the airways allow the air to move freely. However, this is not the case when you get an asthma attack and may experience three things: 

• Bronchospasm 

It occurs when the muscles that line the airways in the lungs tighten. These muscles are called bronchial tubes, and they become inflamed and cause symptoms like coughing. Although asthma causes bronchospasm, it can also occur due to viruses, bacteria, or fungi. 

• Inflammation

Inflammation or bronchitis means the lining of the airways has become swollen. Consequently, air does not pass through your lungs due to swollen airways. 

• Mucus production

There is too much mucus production during an asthma attack. The thick and sticky mucus clogs airways, and you may make a whistling sound or cough when you breathe. Additionally, signs of progressive worsening of asthma include asthma flare-ups, asthma attacks, or exacerbations. 

What types of asthma are there?

The identification of asthma is divided into two parts: 

Intermittent asthma 

This type of asthma is mild, and it can come and go, so it does not impact your life much. 

Persistent asthma

Developing persistent asthma means symptoms are likely to occur frequently and regularly. They can be mild, moderate, and severe. 

Note: Asthma symptoms vary, so it is important to understand what type of asthma you have. Meet your healthcare provider, as he may suggest a blood test for asthma and allergies, and work on them to keep conditions under control. 

Other Types of Asthma

Other types of asthma that can also occur:

1. Adult-Onset Asthma: Adult-onset asthma can begin anytime after age 20. It can occur due to allergies. Common triggers include: 

• The most common indoor allergens include bacteria, insects, dust mites, mold, and pet dander.
• Outdoor allergens such as pollen and mold
• Emotional stress
• Physical activity 
• Infections such as colds and the flu. 

2. Pediatric Asthma: This type of asthma usually occurs in children before age 5. Childhood asthma may disappear in children, but it is important to discuss the child's condition with your healthcare provider to get an appropriate idea of whether preventive medications or inhalers are required to control the condition, including asthma attacks. 

3. Exercise-induced asthma: An asthma that occurs during hard physical activity is called exercise-induced asthma. It can narrow or squeeze the airways. However, after thirty minutes of rest, you can recover from this type of asthma. 

4. Occupational asthma: This type of asthma is work-related and can occur when you breathe in fumes, gases, or chemical substances while at work. These substances can trigger the immune system and affect the lungs. 

5. Asthma-COPD overlap syndrome (ACOS): It shows signs of both asthma and COPD. Healthcare professionals will recognize the mix of symptoms to decide on the most suitable treatment plan. 

Asthma Causes

Allergic and non-allergic causes can lead to asthma. Let’s understand them in detail. 

• Allergic asthma: As the name indicates, allergic asthma occurs due to allergens. These may include pollen, dander, dust mites, and mold spores. In an allergy-induced asthma, the airways tighten when you inhale an allergen. If the symptoms become severe, you may also have an asthma attack.
• Non-allergic asthma, also referred to as non-atopic asthma, occurs due to outside factors such as exercise, stress, illness, and weather. The probability of getting this type of asthma is lower, especially when you are young, and it often develops later in life. 

Who can get asthma?

There is no definite age for the development of asthma. Compared to men, women are more asthmatic. 

People with allergies or exposure to secondhand smoke and thirdhand smoke can become asthmatic. Hence, a need for a blood test for asthma allergies may arise.

Additional factors that can develop asthma:

• Having a parent with asthma
• Chronic respiratory infection
• Allergic condition 
• Exposure to certain chemical irritants or industrial dust

Symptoms and Causes

What causes asthma?

There is no definite reason why some people develop asthma and others do not. Some factors that make asthma high risk create a need for a blood test for asthma patients:

• Allergies

If you already have allergies or have someone at home who does, you can develop the condition. Further, if you already have asthma, allergies can worsen the symptoms. 

• Environmental factors

Allergens, secondhand or thirdhand smoke, and toxins can irritate airways. If you have infants or young children at home, take extra care of them. Their immunity is still developing, so these environmental factors can harm them. 

• Genetics 

An asthmatic family member or someone with allergic reactions can put you at a higher risk of developing the disease. 

• Respiratory disorders

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common among children. They can even damage their developing lungs. 

A CBC blood test for asthma may be recommended along with other tests. This will determine the causes of your discomfort, and a treatment plan will be decided. 

What are the common asthma attack triggers?

Sharing proximity to substances that can irritate you triggers asthma. However, avoiding these asthma triggers can lead to asthma attacks. 

Remember, what may trigger your asthma may not mean it can trigger symptoms in others. Common triggers, creating a need for a blood test for asthma attacks: 

• Air pollution: Air pollutants, such as factory emissions, car exhaust, and fire smoke, can trigger an asthma attack. 
• Dust mites: Dust mites,, or tiny bugs in your home, can cause an allergic reaction that may lead to an asthma attack. 
• Exercise: Exercise-induced asthma can also cause an asthma attack. 
• Mold: Mold allergies can also trigger asthma episodes. Molds thrive on plant and animal matter and thrive best in damp environments. Ensure you stay away from these molds, which can cause problems. 
• Pests: This might surprise you, but pests such as cockroaches, mice, and other household pests can also cause asthma attacks. 
• Pets: You might pamper your pets like your children. Suppose you are allergic to pet dander, which is tiny flakes of animals with fur shed regularly, such as cats, dogs, pigs, and parrots. 
• Tobacco smoke: Both kinds of smoking (active and passive) are injurious to health. If you or someone in your family smokes, this increases your risk of developing asthma. 
• Strong chemicals: In addition to the reasons above, the smell of strong substances such as household or industrial cleaners, air fresheners, nail polishes, and removers can trigger asthma symptoms. 
• Certain occupational exposure: Lastly, dust from flour, wood, or other chemicals can trigger asthma attacks. 

What are the signs and symptoms of asthma?

Signs and symptoms of asthma resemble those of many respiratory infections: 

• Chest pain or tightness
• Nighttime coughing 
• Difficulty breathing
• Wheezing attacks
• Trouble sleeping 

Diagnosis and Tests

How do medical professionals diagnose asthma?

Diagnosing asthma follows a procedure like any other test. Your healthcare provider physically examines you, views your medical history, and asks questions regarding the health of your family members. 

He will also need to know if you have experienced allergies, such as eczema, and other lung diseases, and he may suggest a blood test for asthma patients. 

Symptoms of asthma vary from person to person. If you have noted individual symptoms, kindly discuss them with your healthcare provider. This will help make an accurate diagnosis and suggest the most appropriate treatment plan. 

Further, he may also suggest spirometry or a specialized asthma test. This test involves a special machine linked by a cable to a mouthpiece, which helps measure airflow through the lungs. 

Other Tests to Diagnose Asthma

Your healthcare provider may also order a chest X-ray, skin test, or a CBC blood test for asthma. The results will indicate what is triggering your asthma and allergy symptoms. 

Management and Treatment

What asthma treatment options are there?

Several options are available to manage your asthma. Medicines that can help keep your asthma in control: 

• Bronchodilators

Bronchodilators treat long-term asthma, making breathing easier. They relax muscles in the lungs and widen the airways. 

• Anti-inflammatory medicines

Anti-inflammatory medicines, such as inhaled corticosteroids, can help with long-term asthma and keep it in control. If prescribed, you may have to use it for months to help minimize swelling and tighten your airways. 

• Biologic therapies for asthma 

Biologic therapies for asthma are suggested when other medications do not work. They target different aspects of the body’s immune system. However, the results may take time. 

Mepolizumab, benralizumab, and reslizumab are all biologic therapies that target severe eosinophilic asthma by reducing eosinophils.

4 Helping Tips to Take Asthma Medicines

Work closely on an asthma action plan with your healthcare professional. Several methods are available to take medicines to control asthma, including:

• Buy a metered-dose inhaler, nebulizer, or another asthma inhaler to breathe in asthma medicine. 
• Oral medications may also help. 
• Avoid increasing or decreasing your dose of asthma medication without a doctor’s consent. It can cause complications. 
• Discuss your list of triggers with your doctor and learn how to avoid them. 

Did You Know the 4:4:4 Rule of Asthma?

The 4:4:4 rule of asthma can save lives in an emergency. Steps involved are: 

1. Ask the person to sit upright and stay calm. 
2. Shake the inhaler and give them four separate puffs. 
3. Wait for four minutes before giving another four shots. 
4. Call an ambulance if symptoms persist. 

How can you define asthma control?

Asthma control can be defined as:

• Your asthma is well-controlled. 
• Well-controlled asthma allows you to perform daily activities. Also, no night-time asthma symptoms, including no more shortness of breath, chest tightness, coughing, or wheezing.
• Good asthma control involves recognizing your triggers, taking necessary actions to avoid them, and monitoring your breathing. This ensures your medications are working properly and keeping symptoms under control. 
• No more disrupted sleep due to asthma. 

How are asthma symptoms monitored?

Healthcare providers suggest a peak flow (PF) meter to track asthma symptoms. This portable, inexpensive device helps check one's ability to push air out of one's lungs. Its use is crucial in managing asthma, helping the expert make adjustments to one's medication plan. 

Prevention 

What are the ways to prevent an asthma/asthma attack?

Below are helpful tips to prevent asthma: 

• Identify your triggers. Discuss them with your doctor. 
• Keep track of your breathing. 
• Make sure you follow your asthma action plan. 
• Immunization for pneumonia and influenza is a must
• Early identification and accurate analysis can improve health outcomes. 
• Avoiding medications can trigger symptoms and make them worse. 
• Quick-relief asthma inhalers should be used more often. 

Outlook/Prognosis 

What is the prognosis for an asthmatic?

If you or anyone in your friends and family has asthma, you can still live a normal life. Being an asthmatic does not stop you from chasing your dreams. You can play your favorite sport and do other constructive things. Additionally, many asthmatics may live a long life with effective prescription medications. 

Living With

What does an asthma action plan include?

A doctor suggests an asthma action plan. The instructions are given keeping your asthma triggers in mind. 

Additionally, it can include medications to help manage asthma symptoms that vary from person to person. It might also involve an emergency number to seek assistance and instructions on what to do until the asthma emergency aid arrives. 

How to handle severe asthma attacks?

Severe asthma attacks can be handled by getting immediate medical care. 

As the name suggests, a rescue inhaler can be used immediately to manage an asthma attack. Unlike a regular maintenance attack, a rescue inhaler contains fast-acting medicines that open your airways quickly. Healthcare providers recommend frequent use of the rescue inhaler when symptoms are uncontrollable. 

Sometimes a rescue inhaler does not work, and you might have to be admitted to an emergency room (ER). The doctor may use a blood test for asthma attacks to figure out: 

• Anxiety or panic attacks
• Chest pain or pressure
• Uncontrollable coughing or a severe whistling sound when you breathe
• Fast breathing 
• Difficulty talking
• Pale face

Additional Common Questions 

How can you know whether you are asthmatic?

Asthma is a respiratory condition that makes breathing difficult and causes coughing and wheezing. Other respiratory conditions, such as influenza, pneumonia, bronchitis, and lung cancer, require a doctor’s intervention. Similarly, consult your doctor to know whether you have or do not have asthma. He will inquire about your symptoms and suggest a CBC blood test for asthma or other tests to confirm the diagnosis. 

Is Asthma treatable/curable?

No, asthma in adults is not treatable. On the other hand, the symptoms of asthma in children may decrease in their teens, but they still have asthma. 

Why does asthma get worse at night?

There is no definite reason why asthma gets worse at night. Nocturnal asthma or nighttime asthma can occur due to the following reasons: 

• Sleeping position
• Bedroom triggers and early evening triggers
• Side effects of medicines
• Too hot or too cold air
• Lung function
• Uncontrolled asthma during the day

Connection Between Asthma and COVID-19

You may have to get hospitalized if you have uncontrolled asthma or moderate-to-mild asthma. Further, many studies reveal no connection between asthma and COVID-19. This means that if you have a serious asthma problem, it won’t increase the risk of COVID-19. Additionally, asthma is not a risk factor for developing COVID-19. 

Non-allergic asthma or non-atopic asthma happens rarely and later in life. About 1 in 5 people suffer from this type of asthma. There have been studies that show a connection between non-allergic asthma and COVID-19, which may worsen the situation. 

A note from Recliffe Labs

Experts say your life does not come to an end if you are diagnosed with asthma. You can play your favorite sport and engage in other activities that make you happy to help manage your asthma. Nonetheless, keep your doctor posted about the latest asthma-related developments so that necessary modifications can be made in your treatment plan and thus help you control your symptoms.

Enjoy Care Beyond the Reports

Healthy India Ki Trusted Lab-Redcliffe Labs is a pan-India omnichannel service provider, trusted by 70+ lakhs Indians. The establishment has the widest home collection network with family-like care. If suggested, call us directly at 898 898 87 87, or download the Redcliffe Labs mobile app to book a CBC blood test for asthma. The reports are typically available within five days.