Learn to Recognize the Various Types of Asthma

Asthma can be described as an airway inflammation which is a chronic lung condition, causing blockage of the person's airway passages. This swelling and blockage, which can be mild, moderate, severe or even lethal, is created due to exposure to certain triggers. There are different types of asthma, each of which is typically known by the event or trigger that causes it. The treatment for your asthma will depend on the type of asthma you have.

Child onset asthma is one of the most commonly known asthma types which sometimes happens in a child who has an inherited predilection and has also been sensitized to allergens that are commonly found in their environment. The bodies of these predisposed children produce a form of antibody when they encounter allergens such as house dust, mites, animal proteins, mold or other toxins. Asthmatic response can be caused due to ongoing exposure to these allergens.

Some cases of asthma are reported to develop after age 20, but they are not as typical as childhood onset asthma. Allergenic response is not always the most important factor in these cases, although allergens can trigger it. More women have the condition than men. There can be many irritants like metals, plastics, dust, wood and animal products that can bring this on.

Another type is known as exercise induced asthma, which occurs during or following physical exertion. This type of response is seen in approximately eighty percent of people suffering from asthma. Exercise induced asthma can happen in isolation without the individual ever showing other symptoms of asthma again. It occurs around 5 to 20 minutes after the onset of physical exertion, when breathing through the mouth rather than nasal passages. It seems reasonable to expect that outdoor winter sports such as hockey and cross-country skiing would cause an asthma attack since cold air is a primary trigger for this type of asthma.

Another type of asthma resulting in coughing with or without wheezing is called cough variant asthma. Sometimes cough variant asthma is mistaken for bronchitis, post nasal drip or sinus problems.

Occupational asthma is triggered by allergens or contaminants found in your work environment. Even though the substances are present in many work environments, they are more likely to be found in the manufacturing sector.

Asthma attacks that take place between midnight and 8 am are known as nocturnal asthma attacks. Asthma sufferers who have allergen triggers within their homes may not be aware of it until they wake at night with difficulty breathing or wheezing. It is not yet known whether nighttime and daytime asthma are connected.

Once your physician has diagnosed the form of asthma that you are suffering from, you can go from there to find the appropriate asthma remedies for your condition.