Types of Asthma
Depending upon the causes, asthma is classified into five different types. It is very important to know which type of asthma you have, so that you can take necessary steps to lessen the frequency and severity of asthma attacks. Also by knowing the type of asthma you have, you can seek the most effective asthma treatment on the onset of asthma attack.
Even if the asthma treatment is same for all types of asthma, we can carry out certain preventive steps. For example: We can avoid or reduce the exposure to the cause or trigger. Remember that effective asthma management is possible only if you know the type and the cause of asthma.
Allergic Type of Asthma
Allergic type of asthma is the most common of all types of asthma. This type of asthma is caused by the allergens (foreign particles) that enter the body through airway. Allergic type of asthma is caused due to the inhalation of allergens like pollens, molds, pet dander or dust mites.
People with allergic type of asthma often have other problems related to allergy like allergic rhinitis (hay fever), skin rashes, eczema etc. in the people with hay fever allergy to a particular substance causes the body's immune system to release histamines in order to contact with allergens. These histamines along with other chemicals cause allergy symptoms.
Exercise-Induced Type of Asthma
Exercise-Induced type of asthma is second most common type of asthma, which is caused by exercise or physical exertion. You may experience the symptoms of asthma attacks like coughing or wheezing during or shortly after the exercise. This is caused due to the narrowing of airway, which makes you difficult to catch your breath.
Some experts believe that this type of asthma is a mild allergic reaction caused because of excessive stress on the body. Exercise-Induced type of asthma can also be triggered if the surrounding environment in which you are exercising is not good. That is if it contains allergens like dust particles or pollens in large amount.
Occupational Type of Asthma
Occupational type of asthma is the one that triggers from workplace. It may develop within few months or years after starting a new job. You may experience the symptoms of asthma from Monday to Friday. You may not experience any symptoms on holidays. Also the symptoms improve after leaving the job. People with occupational type of asthma have difficulty in breathing, suffer from eye irritation, cough, runny nose or congestion.
Occupational type of asthma is more commonly found in farmers, nurses, woodworkers, animal breeders and painters. Chemical fumes, sawdust, gases and glue fumes are some of the common causes of this type of asthma.
Nocturnal Type of Asthma
This type of asthma is called Nocturnal type of asthma as it triggers during the night, typically between 2 to 4am. The symptoms of asthma are much higher during sleep as this disease is powerfully influenced by sleep-wake cycle. Some of the asthma symptoms experienced during the night include coughing, wheezing and difficulty in breathing.
In this type of asthma, symptoms generally exhaust during the daytime. Nocturnal type of asthma should be taken seriously as most of the deaths related to asthma occur at night or in the early hours of the morning.
Cough-Variant Type of Asthma
In Cough-Variant type of asthma, asthma is displayed by a persistant and irritating cough. Persistent cough may be caused by other conditions like sinusitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease or chronic rhinitis. This type of asthma is mainly triggered by exercise and respiratory infections.

