Asthma

Asthma is a chronic condition that causes your airways to become inflamed. As a result, they narrow and produce extra mucus — making it difficult to get enough oxygen into your lungs. Although attacks could be caused by allergens, some individuals may have unknown triggers. The condition may range from mild to severe. In the most serious cases, you may experience attacks more than once a day — with symptoms worsening at night. The condition has no cure, but symptoms can be controlled.

Symptoms that you’re experiencing asthma include:

Chest tightening
Shortness of breath
Wheezing
Coughing

Some people experience worsened symptoms when breathing cold air, exercising, or being around irritants — such as pollen, dust, or environmental pollution. While some individuals experience only intermittent attacks and/or can manage symptoms with an inhaler, other people may experience frequent attacks that require visits to the emergency room. This is often the case in individuals with eosinophilic asthma (EA) — a type of severe asthma caused by high levels of white blood cells called eosinophils. In healthy individuals, these cells are part of the immune system, fighting off infections. However, people with too many eosinophils experience substantial inflammation and swelling of their airways. In addition to the symptoms of a regular asthma attack, people with EA also experience chronic sinus infections, nasal polyps, and a reduced sense of smell. This is when infusion therapy can help.