(LifeWire) Mild intermittent asthma is the least severe type of asthma of the various types. People with this type of asthma typically have athma symptoms that come and go. Usually, episodes occur twice a week or less, with nighttime symptoms occurring twice a month or less. Between episodes, people with mild intermittent asthma do not have any symptoms and their lungs function normally.
How Asthma Is Classified as Mild Intermittent
According to the National Guidelines for managing asthma, severity of asthma is classified as mild intermittent according to the following factors:
- Frequency of symptoms (no more than 2 days per week)
- Frequency of nighttime awakenings with asthma symptoms (no more than 2 times per month)
- Use of a quick-relief inhaler (no more than 2 days/week)
- How much asthma interferes with daily activities (not at all)
- Peak flow readings (normal between asthma attacks)
- Whether asthma flares require use or oral steroids (no more than once a year)
Treating Mild Intermittent Asthma
People with mild intermittent asthma do not need daily asthma medication. Instead, the doctor will usually prescribe a quick-relief bronchodilator, which is an inhaler that opens up the airways and is used only as needed (up to a maximum of four times in a 1-day period).
People with asthma may find that their severity of asthma fluctuates over the years. That's the reason why the stepwise approach to treating asthma was developed. As severity fluctuates, so does medication and treatment, with the ultimate goal being to keep asthma under control.
Read more about the other types of asthma and their corresponding treatments.
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Sources:
The American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology Task Force. "Fact Sheet: Treating Asthma." The Allergy Report. AAAAI.org American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology. 12 Dec. 2007 <http://www.aaaai.org/patients/resources/fact_sheets/treating_asthma.pdf>
"Asthma: Diagnosis." AllergyChannel.net 21 Nov. 2007. HealthCommunities.com, Inc. 12 Dec. 2007 <http://www.allergychannel.net/asthma/diagnosis.shtml>
"How Is Asthma Diagnosed?" May 2006. National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health. 12 Dec. 2007 <http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Asthma/Asthma_Diagnosis.html>
