Asthma is a chronic lung disease caused by inflammation and muscle tightening around the airways, which makes it harder to breathe. Extrinsic and intrinsic asthma are two subtypes of asthma. Both may have similar symptoms such as wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, coughing, increased mucus production, and trouble breathing.
The key difference between extrinsic and intrinsic asthma is their etiologies. Extrinsic asthma occurs when the immune system overreacts to a harmless substance or allergens, such as pollen or dust, while intrinsic asthma occurs when something other than allergens, such as weather conditions, exercise, infections, and stress, triggers an immune system response.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Extrinsic Asthma
3. What is Intrinsic Asthma
4. Similarities – Extrinsic and Intrinsic Asthma
5. Extrinsic vs Intrinsic Asthma in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Extrinsic and Intrinsic Asthma
7. FAQ – Extrinsic and Intrinsic Asthma
What is Extrinsic Asthma?
Extrinsic asthma is the most common form of asthma. It is triggered by external allergens such as pollens, dust mites, pet dander, or mold. The classic symptoms of this condition are wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, coughing, red and itchy eyes, sneezing, nasal congestion, and runny nose.
Extrinsic asthma can be diagnosed through physical examinations and skin tests. Furthermore, treatment options for extrinsic asthma may include avoiding known triggers, taking asthma medications like inhaled corticosteroids or bronchodilators, managing underlying allergies with medications (sublingual allergy drops), or immunotherapy.
What is Intrinsic Asthma?
Intrinsic asthma, also known as non-allergic asthma, is not triggered by allergies. Instead, it’s often caused by respiratory infections, stress, exercise, cold weather, or exposure to irritants like cigarette smoke or air pollution. The common symptoms of intrinsic asthma may include coughing, wheezing, chest tightness or pain, and trouble breathing.
Intrinsic asthma can be diagnosed through family medical history, physical symptoms evaluation, and imaging tests such as chest X-ray. Furthermore, treatment options for intrinsic asthma may include using bronchodilators and anti-inflammatory medications, as well as lifestyle changes like avoiding secondhand smoke, reducing stress, and minimizing the risk of respiratory infections.
Similarities Between Extrinsic and Intrinsic Asthma
- Extrinsic and intrinsic asthma are two subtypes of asthma.
- Both may have similar symptoms, such as wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, coughing, increased mucus production, and trouble breathing.
- Both conditions can be diagnosed through physical symptoms evaluation.
- They can be treated through specific medications and therapies.
Difference Between Extrinsic and Intrinsic Asthma
Definition
- Extrinsic asthma is the most common form of asthma that is triggered by external allergens such as pollens, dust mites, pet dander, or mold.
- Intrinsic asthma is a less common form of asthma that is triggered by respiratory infections, stress, exercise, cold weather, or exposure to irritants like cigarette smoke or air pollution.
Signs and Symptoms
- Signs and symptoms of extrinsic asthma include wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, coughing, red and itchy eyes, sneezing, nasal congestion, and runny nose.
- Intrinsic asthma may manifest as coughing, wheezing, chest tightness or pain, and difficulty breathing.
Diagnosis
- Diagnosis of extrinsic asthma typically involves a physical examination and skin tests.
- Intrinsic asthma is diagnosed through a family medical history review, assessment of physical symptoms, and imaging tests such as chest X-ray.
Treatment
- Treatment for extrinsic asthma involves avoiding known triggers and taking asthma medications like inhaled corticosteroids or bronchodilators, along with managing underlying allergies with medications or immunotherapy.
- Intrinsic asthma is managed with bronchodilators and anti-inflammatory medications, alongside lifestyle changes such as avoiding secondhand smoke, reducing stress, and minimizing the risk of respiratory infections.
The infographic below presents the differences between extrinsic and intrinsic asthma in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.
Summary – Extrinsic vs Intrinsic Asthma
Extrinsic and intrinsic asthma are two subtypes of asthma. Extrinsic asthma is the most common form and is triggered by external allergens such as pollens, dust mites, pet dander, or mold, while intrinsic asthma is a less common form and is triggered by respiratory infections, stress, exercise, cold weather, or exposure to irritants like cigarette smoke or air pollution. Thus, this summarizes the difference between extrinsic and intrinsic asthma.
FAQ: Extrinsic and Intrinsic Asthma
1. What are the characteristics of extrinsic asthma?
- Extrinsic asthma begins at an earlier age, is less severe, and manifests with symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, coughing, red and itchy eyes, sneezing, nasal congestion, and a runny nose.
2. How do you manage extrinsic asthma?
- Stay indoors when pollen counts are high, keep windows closed, avoid dust mites, control indoor humidity, check for pet allergies, keep the kitchen and bathroom clean and dry to prevent mold and cockroaches, select air filters wisely, and take anti-allergic medications.
3. What is the best treatment for intrinsic asthma?
- Treatment for intrinsic asthma includes taking bronchodilators and anti-inflammatory medications, as well as implementing lifestyle changes such as avoiding secondhand smoke, reducing stress, and minimizing the risk of respiratory infections.
4. What are the 4 stages of asthma?
The four stages of asthma are:
- Intermittent: Symptoms occur less than twice a week.
- Mild persistent: Symptoms occur more than twice a week but not daily.
- Moderate persistent: Daily symptoms with airflow limitations.
- Severe persistent: Continuous symptoms with significantly reduced airflow and frequent severe attacks.
5. What is the difference between Type 2 and non-Type-2 asthma?
- Type 2 asthma is allergic or eosinophilic asthma triggered by allergens or immune responses involving eosinophils. Non-Type 2 asthma is non-allergic or neutrophilic asthma, not driven by typical allergic reactions or eosinophilic inflammation.
Reference:
1. “Extrinsic Asthma – An Overview.” ScienceDirect.
2. “Intrinsic Asthma: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment.” HealthMatch.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Asthma: Mild and Chronic” By NIH Image Gallery (CC BY-NC 2.0 DEED) via Flickr