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Types of Asthma

Dr. Hema Sathish, Dermatologist

Medically Reviewed By

Dr. Hema Sathish, M.B.B.S., D.D (UK)

Dermatologist • Founder of Cureka

Reviewed for medical accuracy and evidence-based information

Most asthma cases start in childhood; however, in a few patients, the initial symptoms come in adults’ life only.

5th Dec 20223 Min read+Cureka Editorial
Types of Asthma

Asthma is a respiratory condition where lung passages turn out to be hyper-responsive to various stimuli. So, the smoother muscle of the wall of bronchial passages shrinks, together with swelling of the mucus membrane facing the airways. It gets accompanied by extreme mucus-making. All these results in airway narrowing with symptoms like wheezing when breathing, breathlessness, coughing, and tightness in your chest. The harshness of these symptoms differs from one patient to another every day.

Different Types of Asthma

Asthma arises in various patterns. Various types of asthma are identified by their progressive design, or time when outbreaks occur, and the following forms are recognized:

Intermittent Asthma

In a few people, asthma episodes occur between overriding symptom-free periods. In the majority of cases, the asthmatic symptoms get resolved impulsively. The symptom-free periods are generally quite long. With these patients, viral infections of the respiratory tract, like those that source the common cold, are common triggers of asthma symptoms. It is particularly true in more minor children between 2 to 5 years of age that may have 8 to 12 viral coughs and colds per year. In different cases, asthma triggers, physical activity or strenuous exercise, exposure to colder air, or definite environmental causes have been found to work.

Chronic Asthma

Also known as persistent asthma, the condition gets defined by typical symptoms or those that persist many times per week. The strength of symptoms might be pretty inconstant, but there are no more extended periods without any symptoms. Acute exacerbations might supervene anytime upon a chronic course of the disease. These might get traced in a few cases for seasonal increases with air allergens or virus-related pathogens, which aggravate airway inflammation. Chronic asthma must be correctly recognized in the patient to ensure suitable intervention strategies.

Adult-Onset Asthma

Most asthma cases start in childhood; however, in a few patients, the initial symptoms come in adults’ life only. The causes might be different. A few people were not exposed to possible triggers for asthma till they became adults. For instance, they get exposed to the house pet while their roommate takes one’s home or starts working in an environment with chemical fumes, which triggers the hidden hypersensitivity. It might even get a viral infection, which sets off asthmatic reactions for the first-time during adulthood.

Seasonal Allergic Asthma

Seasonal allergic asthma is observed in reply to seasonal releases of allergens like pollens, which happen in different environments. Mold spores are one more common source of seasonal asthma. You should understand how the air allergen level and local climate differ from season to season to determine if you get this kind of asthma and stop it by taking appropriate measures.

Non-Seasonal Allergic Asthma

Everybody with allergies doesn’t necessarily get asthma, nor do all asthmatics suffer from allergies. However, allergies do strengthen asthma in a few cases. Therefore, exposure to dry or cold air, pollen, dust, or pet hair might set off a severe asthma attack. Also, there is one more kind of allergic asthma where asthma triggers aren’t associated with the season but might be because of a hyper-reaction of an airway mucosa to things that are not usually allergenic. These comprise air pollutants, viruses, or irritants like paint fumes or tobacco smoke, heavy exercise, some chemicals in drugs or food, and changes in the weather.

Exercise-Induced Bronchoconstriction (EIB)

The term is utilized when an exercise session is trailed by narrowing the airways. This might be found in around 80% of the people having asthma. However, not all cases of EIB are initiated in asthma patients. This is caused by dehydration or heating that occurs with determined physical activities in dry climates. In children having asthma, this is generally the initial symptom that develops.

Conclusion

Asthma occurs in different patterns. Different asthma types are recognized as per their patterns or when outbreaks happen. The severity of these symptoms differs in all patients.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Asthma is a respiratory condition where bronchial passages become hyper-responsive, causing airway narrowing. Symptoms include wheezing, breathlessness, coughing, and chest tightness, with severity varying daily between patients.

  • Asthma types include chronic, adult-onset, seasonal and non-seasonal allergies, and exercise-induced, triggered by allergens, viruses, environmental factors, or physical activity.

  • Intermittent asthma causes episodes between long symptom-free periods, often triggered by viral infections, exercise, cold air, or environmental factors.

  • Asthma severity and symptom patterns differ among patients, with some experiencing persistent symptoms and others having episodic or exercise-related attacks.

  • EIB is airway narrowing after exercise, affecting about 80% of asthma patients and sometimes triggered by dehydration or dry climates, often appearing first in children with asthma.

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