The Types of Asthma & How They Differ. Which One Is Yours?

Asthma is a chronic lung condition. When specific trigger factors are present, it causes your airways to become irritated and constricted, resulting in difficulty breathing. A severe asthma attack may also impair a person's ability to talk.

Although asthma is often associated with difficulty breathing, there are several asthma triggers, which results in the division of asthma into various types.

There are eight different types of asthma that you really must be aware of. Each of these distinct kinds of asthma may need a unique treatment regimen and present with distinct symptoms.

The Different Types of Asthma

1. Allergic Asthma

Allergic asthma is a chronic inflammatory illness in which the lungs of the patient get inflamed and the airways constrict when the allergen is inhaled.

Exposure to allergens causes the immune system to release an excessive amount of immunoglobulin E in persons with allergic asthma. This results in the swelling of the airways, causing symptoms such as shortness of breath and wheezing.

The following are some common allergens that might trigger allergic asthma:

• pollen

• fungus

• dust pests

• pet fur (skin fragments)

• cockroach faeces

• rat

Recognizing the trigger or allergen enables the patient to avoid it, hence reducing the frequency of asthma episodes. This may be accomplished with an allergy test.

A skin prick test is the most frequently used allergy test. Your doctor will prick a tiny area of your skin with an allergen-coated needle. They will check for redness, swelling, and itching after 15 minutes. These symptoms are suggestive of an allergic response.

2. Non-allergic Asthma

Non-allergic asthma, also known as non-atopic asthma, is a kind of asthma that is not triggered by an allergen or caused by an individual's allergy to a specific chemical.

Non-allergic asthma is induced by a variety of factors, including the following:

• Infections of the respiratory tract

• Exercise

• Irritants in the air

• Pressure

• Medications and some food preservatives or additives 

• Climatic conditions

3. Seasonal Asthma

Seasonal asthma affects individuals differently. Winter's chilly air causes some persons' airways to spasm, resulting in coughing, wheezing, chest discomfort, and shortness of breath.​

High spring pollen levels may also be a trigger for asthma, particularly for the approximately 50% of asthma patients who suffer from seasonal allergies. Allergies are a common cause of seasonal asthma.

During the summer and autumn, extreme weather conditions such as heat and thunderstorms may aggravate asthma. As with very cold air, it is thought that hot air and humidity may constrict the airways. Additionally, when the temperature rises, the concentration of pollutants and fungus in the air increases, triggering asthma.

4. Occupational Asthma

Occupational asthma is a condition caused by inhaling particles such as dust, chemicals, smoke, or animal fur while doing a job. If you acquire new asthma symptoms at work or if your childhood asthma returns, you may develop occupational asthma.

You may work in your job for an extended length of time without developing symptoms. This is because your immune system needs time to develop sensitivity to the stimulation of workplace chemicals.

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The following are some occupational irritants:

• Dust

• Gas

• Smoke

• Vapour

A thorough medical history and physical examination are required to establish occupational asthma. Additional diagnostic testing for COPD includes lung function tests, blood and sputum tests, and chest X-rays to rule out another lung illness.

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5. Adult-Onset Asthma

Adult-onset asthma develops when symptoms manifest in adults over the age of 20. Allergies are more prevalent in adults with asthma. Adult-onset asthma is often induced by irritants found at work or at home, and symptoms manifest abruptly.

Adult-onset asthma is more prevalent in the following groups:

• Women who undergo hormonal changes such as pregnancy or menopause

• Women who continue to take estrogen for at least ten years after menopause

• Individuals who have just been diagnosed with a virus or disease such as the flu

• Those who are allergic to cats in particular

• Environmental irritants like tobacco smoke, fungus, dust, and perfume.

6. Childhood Asthma

Although childhood asthma is similar to adult asthma, the symptoms in children might be more severe. Dust or pollen might irritate your child's lungs and airways more quickly if they have asthma or a respiratory tract illness. Symptoms might impair everyday activity and sleep. Sometimes, an asthma episode may also lead to hospitalization.

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Common triggers include the following:

• Respiratory tract diseases, such as colds, pneumonia, and sinus infection.

• Allergens: Cockroaches, dust mites, fungus, pet dander, and pollen.

• Pollution, chemicals, chilly air, scents, and smoking have the potential to aggravate their lungs.

• Some exercise causes wheezing, coughing, and chest discomfort.

• Stress may exacerbate symptoms and create shortness of breath.

7. Nocturnal Asthma

With nocturnal asthma, asthma symptoms worsen at night. This form of asthma may impair sleep quality. Having asthma at night may potentially be a sign of severe asthma or inadequate asthma management. They may have a decrease in lung function and an increase in airway sensitivity.

Among the most frequent causes of nocturnal asthma are the following:

• Allergens in the bedroom such as dust mites, pet hair, and fungus are common.

• Lying in a supine position,

• Chill air at night.

• Parched throat

• Numerous additional health issues

Detecting children with nocturnal asthma might be challenging at times. Wheezing, daytime tiredness interrupted sleep, and difficulty concentrating at school are all symptoms to watch for.

8. Exercise-Induced Asthma

Exercise might also induce asthma. Up to 90% of asthmatics patients might have an asthma attack when exercising, participating in sports, or engaging in vigorous physical activity. However, it's worth noting that asthma during exercise may affect those who do not have asthma.

Exercise-induced asthma or exercise-induced bronchoconstriction are other terms for asthma that arises during exercise, sports, or physical activity. When this exercise is done, the bronchial ducts constrict.

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Environmental factors such as the following may also impact or induce this kind of asthma:

• While swimming, chemicals such as chlorine are present in the water.

• Ice hockey and ice skating are both sports that need a cold atmosphere.

• Inhale polluted air when running, jogging, or riding

  
  

This kind of asthma attack may occur during or after exercise or sports activities, however, some people may endure longer and more severe episodes, necessitating medical attention.

Knowing your asthma is equivalent to knowing your asthma triggers and enables you to be prepared with medications needed or to do activities cautiously based on your capacity. Asthma should not prevent you from living a full life. Consult your physician for advice on how to manage your asthma and avoid frequent asthma episodes.

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