Asthma is a severe medical illness that causes breathing problems. Asthma can increase mucus production, causing shortness of breath, wheezing and coughing if left unchecked. Know about the various types of asthma to manage this chronic health condition and recover faster.

What you need to know:

What is asthma?
What are the causes of asthma?
The symptoms of asthma
What are the types of asthma?

What is asthma?

Asthma is a chronic lung disease that makes it harder to inhale and exhale. In this condition, your airways narrow and swell, producing excess mucus, which makes breathing difficult. The severity of asthma differs from person to person.

What are the causes of asthma?

Here are some of the factors that can cause various types of asthma.

Allergies: Having specific allergies can increase your risk of getting asthma.
Certain environmental factors: People who smoke or are exposed to toxins, fumes, and second-hand smoke can cause asthma.
Respiratory diseases: Certain respiratory infections, like respiratory syncytial virus (causing infections of the lungs or respiratory tract), can harm developing lungs in children, causing asthma.
Family history: Genetics can also contribute to asthma. You are more susceptible to getting asthma if your family has it.

The symptoms of asthma

Here are some of the symptoms of asthma that you might experience:

Coughing
Shortness of breath
A wheezing sound while breathing
Chest pain, pressure and tightness.

What are the types of asthma?

Various types of asthma share some similarities, but they also have a fine line of difference:

Allergic asthma

Allergic asthma is caused by extraneous factors such as pollen, dust mites, mould or animal dander. You may experience asthma and allergy symptoms, like runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing, scratchy throat, and red, itchy or watery eyes. A heavy genetic component can also lead to asthma running in a family. Treatment for allergic asthma includes immunotherapy and prescribed allergy medicines.

Non-allergic asthma

This type of asthma can come from cold weather, pollution, passive smoking or other air-borne irritants, and respiratory infections (cold, flu, or viral infection). To treat non-allergic asthma, identify your triggers and avoid them.

Cough variant asthma

This involves a dry cough that occurs when you wake up, when you exercise or because of any other external factor that triggers your allergy. A sputum (lung infection) test is required to diagnose this variant.

Nocturnal asthma

If you have a nocturnal allergy, be mindful of the space around you, that is, your house in general. Keep it dust-free to prevent your allergy from flaring. Nocturnal asthma can interrupt your sleep, which can hamper an entire day. Changes in your circadian rhythm, that is, your internal body clock, can cause respiratory arrests at night. It leads to a shift in muscle control, airway resistance, and inflammation. It can also cause sleep apnea, which obstructs your breathing at night.

Occupational asthma

Many people work in an environment that exposes them to asthma, especially occupations requiring regular contact with substances like animals, latex, dust, harmful chemicals or paints. Take necessary precautions like wearing gloves and masks while working to avoid occupational asthma.

Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction

Rapid breathing during exercise sessions can dehydrate your bronchial tubes, which then constrict. Factors like odours from exercise equipment, air pollution or chlorine in swimming pools can cause exercise-induced bronchoconstriction.

It is advisable to keep an inhaler handy if you face an asthma attack. Talk to your family doctor if your asthma symptoms cause severe health issues.

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