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| Home > The Basics of Asthma > Types of Asthma |
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Asthma is often put into categories or groups based on the "triggers" that cause the asthma symptoms or attacks. Regardless of what type of asthma you have, the right treatment can help keep it under control. To find out if your asthma is controlled as well as it could be, click here to take the Asthma Control Test™. The different types of asthma are:
Allergic asthma
Allergic asthma is triggered by an allergic reaction to allergens such as pollen or pet dander. People with this type of asthma typically have a personal and/or family history of allergies, such as allergic rhinitis or hay fever, and/or eczema (skin problem resulting in itching, a red rash, and sometimes small blisters).
Seasonal asthma, a form of allergic asthma, can be triggered by trees, grasses, or flowers releasing pollen into the air. For example, some people find that their asthma is worse in the spring when there is an increase in flowering plants. Others find their asthma is worse in the late summer or early fall when ragweed and mold from leaves on trees are more likely to cause problems.
Nonallergic asthma
For some people with asthma, asthma attacks have nothing to do with allergies. Although these people get the same symptoms and have similar changes in their airways as people with allergic asthma, their asthma is not triggered by allergens. However, as in any person with asthma, asthma attacks may be triggered or made worse by one or more nonallergic asthma triggers, including substances (irritants) in the air you breathe such as tobacco smoke, wood smoke, room deodorizers, pine odors, fresh paint, household cleaning products, cooking odors, perfumes, and outdoor air pollution. Respiratory infections such as the common cold, the flu, or a sinus infection may also cause symptoms. Finally, exercise, cold air, sudden changes in air temperature, and even gastroesophageal reflux (heartburn) may be triggers for people with either allergic or nonallergic types of asthma.
Exercise-induced asthma
Exercise-induced asthma (EIA) simply refers to asthma symptoms that are triggered by exercise or physical activity. These symptoms are usually noticed during or shortly after exercise. Exercising outdoors in the winter seems to be particularly bad for patients with this type of asthma. However, exercise can also trigger symptoms in people with other types of asthma.
Nocturnal asthma
Nocturnal asthma can occur in a patient with any type of asthma. It refers to asthma symptoms that seem worse in the middle of the night, typically between 2 AM and 4 AM.
Things that can cause asthma symptoms to get worse at night may include sinus infections or postnasal drip caused by allergens like dust mites or pet dander. Your body clock may also play some role: levels of substances your body makes like adrenaline and corticosteroids, both of which protect against asthma, are lowest between midnight and 4 AM, making it easier for people with asthma to get symptoms during these times
Asthma in pregnancy
Pregnant women with asthma have higher rates of pregnancy-related complications. Of pregnant patients with asthma, one third will experience improvement in their asthma, one third will remain stable, and one third will experience worsening of their asthma. Improved asthma control during pregnancy is associated with lower rates of pregnancy-related complications.
Occupational asthma
People with asthma are susceptible to exacerbations of their disease when exposed to irritant dusts or fumes in the work environment. Occupational asthma, however, refers to asthma of new onset that is caused by exposure to a substance (for example, chemicals, animal proteins, etc.) in the workplace. Reducing airborne concentrations of offending agents by better control of dust may lower the incidence of asthma exacerbations and decrease sensitization.
Discuss your asthma with your healthcare provider to determine what type of asthma you may have. Again, regardless of what type of asthma you have, the right treatment can help keep it under control. To find out your level of asthma control, click here to take the Asthma Control Test™. Results should be shared with a healthcare professional to help determine if your asthma is being controlled as well as it could be. For children 4 to 11 years of age, click here to access the Childhood Asthma Control Test.
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