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Asthma is often grouped into types based on what causes the asthma symptoms or attacks. No matter what type of asthma you have, the right treatment can help keep it under control.
The different types of asthma are:
Allergic asthma
It is triggered by an allergic reaction to things like pollen or pet dander.
Most people with this type of asthma have a personal and/or family history of allergies, like hay fever and/or eczema (a skin problem leading to itching, a red rash, and sometimes small blisters).
Seasonal asthma, a form of allergic asthma, can be triggered by trees, grasses, or flowers that give off pollen into the air. For example, some people find that their asthma is worse in the spring when there are more 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. These people get the same symptoms and have similar changes in their airways as people with allergic asthma. But their asthma is not triggered by allergens.
Like any person with asthma, asthma attacks may be triggered or made worse by one or more nonallergic asthma triggers. These triggers include substances (irritants) in the air you breathe, like tobacco smoke, wood smoke, room deodorizers, pine odors, fresh paint, household cleaning products, cooking odors, perfumes, and outdoor air pollution. Respiratory infections, like the common cold, the flu, or a sinus infection, may also cause symptoms. Finally, exercise, cold air, sudden changes in air temperature, and even 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 very bad for patients with this type of asthma. It may be triggered by breathing cold, dry air while exercising. However, exercise can also trigger symptoms in people with other types of asthma.
Nocturnal asthma
Nighttime asthma can occur in a patient with any type of asthma. It refers to asthma that occurs when a person is sleeping. Symptoms seem worse in the middle of the night, typically between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m.
Things that can make asthma symptoms worse at night may include sinus infections or postnasal drip, bedroom allergens, like dust mites or pet dander, and GERD (acid reflux). Your body clock may also play some role. Levels of substances your body makes that protect against asthma are lowest between midnight and 4 a.m. This makes it easier for people with asthma to get symptoms during these times.
Asthma in pregnancy
Pregnant women with uncontrolled asthma have higher rates of pregnancy-related complications. Of pregnant patients with asthma, about one third will show improvement in their asthma, one third will remain stable, and one third will have worse asthma. Asthma has a tendency to worsen during pregnancy in the late second and early third trimesters.
Work-related asthma
People with asthma can get worse when exposed to irritant dusts or fumes at work. But work-related asthma refers to new asthma that is directly brought on by exposure to something at work, like chemicals, animal dander, or waste. Reducing dust at work may help control work-related asthma.
Discuss your asthma with your doctor to find out what type of asthma you may have. No matter what type of asthma you have, the right treatment can help keep it under control.
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