Eosinophilic asthma is a type of potentially severe asthma that affects older adults. It gets its name from eosinophils – the medical term for a type of white blood cell. Eosinophils make up between one and three percent of all white blood cells in the body, and they influence how the body responds to environmental allergens.
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In people with eosinophilic asthma, these white blood cells proliferate in greater numbers and can cause an overly aggressive inflammatory response, resulting in asthma.
What Are the Symptoms of Eosinophilic Asthma and How is it Treated?
Eosinophilic asthma is characterized by the following symptoms:
- Coughing
- Wheezing
- Shortness of breath and chest tightness
- Inflamed mucous membranes
- Airway obstruction
These symptoms may be triggered by an environmental allergen (such as mold spores) or by non-allergic triggers.
Regardless of what triggers are present, a typical course of eosinophilic asthma treatment includes medication. In most cases, a combination of two medications is prescribed – a controller medicine that reduces swelling in the airways, and a “quick-relief” medicine that’s designed to control the bronchial spasms that can cause airways to close.
If the above medications do not provide sufficient relief, monoclonal antibodies may be prescribed to target inflammation-causing cells.
How Does Chinese Medicine Address Eosinophilic Asthma?
In Chinese medicine, eosinophilic asthma is believed to be the result of lung weakness. You may hear practitioners refer to “ascending” or “rising” Qi, which is another way of saying that the flow of energy originating from the lungs is upward – like the upward movement of phlegm from the lungs.
Practitioners address this problem with herbal remedies, and Chuan Bei Mu is a frontline botanical option to build up the lungs, which can help eosinophilic asthma. Chuan Bei Mu – also known as the fritillaria bulb – is a “cool” herb that supports lung and heart function. It’s particularly effective at soothing the airways and moistening them, which helps reduce the prevalence of symptoms.
For asthma sufferers, Chuan Bei Mu can provide additional relief and support to other asthma treatments, making it a popular herb for Chinese medicine practitioners.
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