Asthma is a condition that is characterized by hypersensitive airways, or bronchioles, that can become inflamed and constricted making it very difficult to breathe. Asthma is a recurring chronic condition that can cause a range of symptoms from mild chest tightness, wheezing, shortness of breath and coughing to life-threatening symptoms. According to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, more than 22 million people in the United States are known to have asthma, with nearly 6 million of those being children. An asthma attack can be triggered by a variety of different substances or situations. There are many different types of asthma, and they are generally classified by their trigger.
Allergic Asthma
According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, allergic asthma is by far the most common form, affecting over 50 percent of all allergy sufferers. Allergic asthma is characterized by some of the same typical symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest tightness, coughing and wheezing, but it is triggered by an inhaled allergen such as pollen. These allergens are recognized by the hypersensitive immune system of those who suffer with asthma as a foreign and harmful substance and sets off an allergic or immune response. With allergic asthma, if the offending allergen can be discovered, it may be possible to dampen its effects with medication. Avoidance of the allergen is often the only way to prevent an attack.
Exercise-Induced Asthma
Exercise-Induced Asthma (EIA) is a form of asthma that is triggered or made worse by physical activity. Symptoms of EIA are similar to allergic asthma; however, coughing is prominent and may be the only symptom the sufferer experiences. EIA usually will begin during exercise and may last for 5 to 10 minutes after exercise has stopped and should completely resolve within 20 minutes of stopping exercise. When you exercise and your need for oxygen increases, you tend to breathe through your mouth, which decreases both the humidity and temperature of the air in comparison to that which would be inhaled through the nasal passage. This decrease in humidity and temperature causes bronchial spasm in those that are susceptible to EIA.
Occupational Asthma
Occupational asthma is a classification of asthma that simply means that an individual's asthma is triggered by an allergen at their work location. Occupational asthma may also be the result of chemical or dust exposure that is irritating to the airwaves causing asthma symptoms and not a true allergic reaction.
Nocturnal Asthma
Nocturnal asthma is asthma that worsens at night or when sleeping. According to the National Jewish Health Center, nocturnal asthma is often the result of an allergic reaction to dust mites, a delayed allergic reaction to something encountered earlier in the day, a complication of sleep apnea or a result of decreased body temperature which causes airway constriction. Treatment usually consists of identification and management of the underlying cause.
