Bronchial Asthma

Asthma and Allergies: Understanding the Connection and Modern Treatments

Understanding Bronchial Asthma: The Role of Allergies and New Advances in Treatment
Bronchial asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition of the airways that affects millions of children and adults worldwide. Symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness occur when the airways become inflamed and narrowed. For many patients, these symptoms are not only uncomfortable but also interfere with daily activities and sleep.
The Allergy–Asthma Connection
Asthma is often closely linked to allergies. In fact, allergic asthma is the most common form of the disease. Environmental triggers such as pollen, dust mites, mold, pet dander, and certain foods can activate the immune system, leading to airway inflammation and asthma attacks. Identifying these triggers through allergy testing is a critical step in helping patients control their condition.
Management usually begins with avoidance strategies, environmental control, and medications such as inhaled corticosteroids and bronchodilators. However, some patients continue to experience symptoms despite standard treatment.
New Biologic Therapies:

A Personalized Approach
In recent years, a new class of medications—called biologic agents—has transformed the treatment of moderate to severe asthma. These therapies target specific pathways of the immune system that drive airway inflammation.
Currently approved biologic agents for asthma include:
•    Omalizumab (Xolair) – for patients with allergic asthma and elevated IgE.
•    Mepolizumab (Nucala), Reslizumab (Cinqair), and Benralizumab (Fasenra) – for eosinophilic asthma, targeting IL-5.
•    Dupilumab (Dupixent) – for eosinophilic or corticosteroid-dependent asthma, targeting IL-4/IL-13.
•    Tezepelumab (Tezspire) – a newer biologic that blocks thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), effective across a broad range of asthma phenotypes.

    These medications are given by injection every few weeks and are generally well-tolerated. Biologics have been shown to significantly reduce asthma exacerbations, improve lung function, and decrease the need for oral steroids.
A Tailored Plan for Each Patient
Not every asthma patient needs biologic therapy, but for those with uncontrolled moderate to severe asthma despite optimal inhaler use, biologics may be life-changing. Allergy testing, lung function testing, and a thorough medical evaluation help determine whether a patient is a candidate.
Takeaway
Asthma management has come a long way. By understanding the role of allergies and taking advantage of new biologic therapies, many patients who once struggled with frequent symptoms can now enjoy better control and a higher quality of life.