by Cyndi Li

Created on: November 15, 2011   Last Updated: November 20, 2011

Did you know that more than 34 million Americans alone have been diagnosed with asthma in their lifetime? It’s true. Asthma accounts for approximately 500,00 hospitalizations annually, and it’s been the cause of 13 million missed school days, and more than 10 million missed workdays annually.

Asthma is a serious medical condition that, once diagnosed, needs to be monitored by a health professional.  Do you think you might have asthma? Here’s a brief overview of the different types of asthma that may give you a better idea.

Allergic Asthma

There are actually different forms of allergic asthma. One is the allergic reaction to allergens such as pollen, or pet dander. Another is called seasonal asthma which is an aggravated form of allergic asthma that usually effects suffers in the spring when plants flower, and late summer/fall due to ragweed or mold from leaves that develops on trees.  Respiratory infections can also trigger this form of asthma.

Non-Allergic Asthma

This form of asthma is triggered by things such as smoke, dust, fresh paint and other irritants found in the air. A person with this type of asthma can exhibit the same symptoms and reactions as a person with allergic asthma. The difference is that non-allergic asthma sufferers are not bothered by natural allergens such as pollen and mold. Respiratory infections can also trigger this form of asthma.

Nocturnal Asthma

A person who suffers from other types of asthma can also suffer from nocturnal asthma. This type of asthma happens during the night when the symptoms of asthma worsen. Among other factors, postnasal drip, sinus infections, and dust mites are prime culprits that trigger this type of asthma.

Occupational Asthma

This type of asthma refers to asthmatic reactions that are caused by being exposed to a substance in the workplace. It should be noted that people who already have asthma before entering the workplace don’t suffer from occupational asthma. The occupational-asthma-causing substances simply aggravate their already-existing condition.

Cough-Variant Asthma

Webmd.com lists this asthma as a type that is characterized by a dry, non-productive cough along with the classic asthma symptoms such as wheezing and shortness of breath. The cough, sometimes referred to as chronic cough, can last for more than 6-8 weeks.

Exercise-Induced Asthma

As the name implies, this type of asthma is triggered by physical exertion such as exercise or participation in sports.

Signs and Symptoms of Asthma

The classic signs of asthma include but are not limited to shortness of breath, wheezing, difficulty talking, very rapid breathing, bluish lips and tightening of the neck and or chest muscles. There are also some not-so-classic signs and symptoms a doctor may be able to connect to asthma.

If you suspect you or a loved one has asthma, seek medical treatment for a proper diagnosis. Once you’ve been diagnosed your health professional can help you begin treatment for any one of these different types of asthma. 

Learn more about this author, Cyndi Li.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.