There are several different types of asthma, which can be classified based on the underlying cause or trigger of the condition. Some common types of asthma include:
Adult-onset asthma. Asthma can start at any age, but it’s more common in people younger than 40.
Status asthmaticus. These long-lasting asthma attacks don’t go away when you use bronchodilators. They’re a medical emergency that needs treatment right away.
Childhood asthma. Asthma can develop at any age, but it is more common in children. Children with asthma may have more frequent asthma attacks and may be more sensitive to certain triggers, such as respiratory infections and allergens. Symptoms can vary from episode to episode in the same child. Watch for problems like:
- Coughing often, especially during play, at night, or while laughing. This may be the only symptom.
- Less energy or pausing to catch their breath while they play
- Fast or shallow breathing
- Saying their chest hurts or feels tight
- A whistling sound when they breathe in or out
- Seesaw motions in their chest because of trouble breathing
- Shortness of breath
- Tight neck and chest muscles
- Weakness or fatigue
Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction. This is also called exercise-induced asthma. It happens during physical activity, when you breathe in air that’s drier than what’s in your body, and your airways narrow. It can affect people who don’t have asthma, too. You’ll notice symptoms within a few minutes after you start to exercise, and they might last 10 to 15 minutes after you stop.
Allergic asthma. Things that trigger allergies, like dust, pollen and pet dander, can also cause asthma attacks.
Nonallergic asthma. This type of asthma is not triggered by allergens and may be caused by other factors, such as infections, irritants in the environment, or certain medications. Non-allergic asthma may be more difficult to diagnose and treat, as the trigger may be more difficult to identify. It usually flares in extreme weather. It could be the heat of summer or the cold of winter. It could also show up when you’re stressed or have a cold.
Occupational asthma. This type of asthma is caused by exposure to certain substances or conditions in the workplace, such as chemicals, dust, fumes or other irritating things in the air.
Eosinophilic asthma. This severe form is marked by high levels of white blood cells called eosinophils. It usually affects adults between 35 and 50 years old.
Nocturnal asthma. Nocturnal asthma is a type of asthma that is characterized by symptoms that occur at night. This type of asthma can be triggered by a variety of factors, including exposure to allergens, changes in the weather, and changes in the body’s natural rhythms. Nocturnal asthma is more common in people who have persistent asthma, which is a type of asthma that is not well controlled and requires ongoing treatment. People with nocturnal asthma may experience symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing at night, which can interfere with sleep and lead to daytime fatigue.
Aspirin-induced asthma. You have asthma symptoms when you take aspirin, along with a runny nose, sneezing, sinus pressure, and a cough.
Cough-variant asthma. Unlike with other types, Cough-variant asthma is characterized by a persistent cough as the main symptom. People with cough-variant asthma may not experience other common asthma symptoms, such as wheezing or shortness of breath. This type of asthma is often misdiagnosed or overlooked because the cough can be mistaken for a cold or other respiratory illness.
Cough-variant asthma is more common in children than in adults, and it is often triggered by allergies or respiratory infections.