Asthma Types - How Intense Is Yours?

Do you have asthma? Have you tried to describe to your family and friends how intense your asthma attacks can be? Many people believe that asthma attacks fall into one category as far as intensity and discomfort. They do not understand that you could still have asthma even if you don't experience extreme gasping or need to reach for an inhaler each day. Asthma falls into four main categories of intensity for all different asthma types. These asthma types apply to allergic, non-allergic, exercise induced, occupational, and aspirin induced asthma.

What are the four main categories of intensity with regards to asthma? The four categories include mild intermittent, mild persistent, moderate persistent, and severe persistent. These categories were defined by the National Institutes of Health in their guidelines for the diagnosis and management of asthma.

Let's take a look at each intensity level in more detail.

Intensity Level #1: Mild Intermittent.

This intensity level is characterized by experiencing symptoms no more than two times a week during the day and no more than two times a month during the night time. If you have this level of asthma you will often not experience any asthma symptoms between the infrequent asthma episodes. When you do experience asthmatic symptoms the symptoms will only bother you for a short period of time and at the most a few days. Asthma does not play a big role in your life.

Intensity Level #2: Mild Persistent.

This intensity level is characterized by experiencing symptoms a little more frequently. You experience asthma symptoms more than two times a week during the day and more than two times a month at night. However, you don't experience asthma every single day. At this intensity asthma does have a noticeable affect on your daily life.

Intensity Level #3: Moderate Persistent.

This intensity level is characterized by experiencing asthma symptoms much more frequently. You have symptoms each day and also more than one time a week during the night. You always have a short-acting bronchodilator on hand to help stop an asthma attack. Your daily activities are greatly affected by your asthma. You must keep your asthma medications and quick relief items on hand.

Intensity Level #4: "Severe Persistent".

This intensity level is characterized by experiencing asthma symptoms very frequently. In fact, you experience asthma symptoms all day long and all night. You have to be very careful about your activities and often find that you can not participate in many activities because of your asthma.

How do I figure out which intensity level my asthma type falls under? There are two things you can do to determine this information. First, keep track of all your asthma symptoms. Make sure to note the day and time of your symptoms. Indicate the type and intensity of your symptoms. Second, have your doctor evaluate the extent of your asthma with various breathing and airway tests. They will have you go through lung-function tests and measure your heart rate. They will look at your medical history and asthma tracking to help you figure out the intensity of your asthma. From this they can prescribe you asthma medication and treatments that can greatly alleviate your asthma

Attention all asthma sufferers...
To learn about the basic asthma types, and discover vital facts all about asthma inhalers, then go to:
http://www.onlineasthmahelp.com/