There are different types of Asthma in both children and adults as statistics show that Asthma affects about 9% of children and 7% of adults.
Asthma causes the airways to become inflamed and swollen, reducing the amount of air that can pass in and out of the lungs. However, there are several different types of asthma, and each has its own set of triggers.
The following are some of the well-known types of Asthma.
Seasonal asthma
In seasonal asthma, symptoms flare up in certain conditions or at particular times of the year. A person with seasonal asthma may notice that symptoms are worse, or only present, during:
- hay fever season, when pollen levels are at their highest
- cold or hot weather, thunderstorms, and sudden changes in temperature
- days when air pollution is worse, such as still, cold days
- winter months, when there are more cold and flu viruses around
Allergic asthma
Allergic asthma is the most common type of asthma and around 60% of people living with asthma are carrying Allergic asthma.
Certain allergens in the environment can trigger allergic asthma. Some common allergens include:
- pollen
- pet dander
- mold spores
- foods such as milk, eggs, and certain nuts
- dust mites, cockroaches, and cockroach feces
- irritants in the air, such as tobacco smoke and automobile and chemical fumes
- heavily fragranced products, such as perfumes
Nonallergic asthma
Nonallergic, or intrinsic, asthma does not require an allergen to trigger an attack.
Nonallergic asthma is more likely to appear in adulthood and affects more females than males according to statistics.
Experts believe that nonallergic asthma develops due to genetic and environmental factors.
For example, symptoms may occur when a person has exposure to:
- cold
- humidity
- stress
- exercise
- pollution
- irritants in the air, such as smoke
- respiratory infections, such as a cold, flu, or sinus infection
Occupational asthma
People with occupational asthma may find that their symptoms are worse while working, or that they improve with time off work.
In fact, up to 15% of asthma cases in the U.S. may be due to job-related exposure to paint chemicals, aerosols, insecticides, or other harmful substances.
How long the symptoms take to occur may depend on the level of exposure to these and other substances. Some people may have an asthma attack within 24 hours of exposure. In others, it may take months, or even years, for any symptoms to develop.
Exercise-induced asthma
Exercise-induced asthma occurs when symptoms flare up during or immediately after exercise or another form of strenuous activity. This may happen around 5–20 minutes after the exercise.
Although it is common to experience shortness of breath after exercise, exercise-induced asthma may also cause coughing, wheezing, and chest pain, ranging from mild to severe.
Around 90% of people with asthma also experience exercise-induced asthma, with the majority of cases having a mild form that responds well to treatment.
The following factors may also worsen symptoms of exercise-induced asthma:
- chlorinated pools
- exposure to polluted air while running or cycling outside
- cold, dry air while ice skating or playing hockey
- warm, humid air while doing hot yoga
Difficult-to-control asthma
Although difficult-to-control asthma is not an accepted subtype or diagnosis, some people do find their symptoms much harder to manage.
Such symptoms may happen frequently, or the person may be having life-threatening asthma attacks.
There are a range of reasons that asthma can be difficult to control, including:
- having another underlying health condition, such as heart disease or diabetes
- smoking or frequently being in smoky environments
- not taking medication correctly, at the right times, or at the correct dosage
Severe asthma
Severe asthma, or brittle asthma, affects around 4% of all adults with asthma.
Experts consider asthma to be severe when symptoms do not improve with standard medications. People with severe asthma are likely to:
- have more asthma attacks than people with mild-to-moderate asthma
- spend more time in the hospital as a result of their asthma
- take steroid tablets long-term
Severe asthma can also sometimes be life-threatening.