(LifeWire) - Mild persistent asthma is one of the four types of asthma. People who suffer from mild persistent asthma generally have asthma symptoms more than twice a week, but not more than once a day. Their nighttime symptoms occur more than twice a month. Asthma attacks may affect the activities of people with mild persistent asthma.
How Asthma Is Classified as Mild Persistent
According to the National Guidelines for managing asthma, severity of asthma is classified as mild persistent according to the following factors:
- Frequency of symptoms (more than 2 days per week, but not daily)
- Frequency of nighttime awakenings with asthma symptoms (3 to 4 times per month)
- Use of a quick-relief inhaler (more than 2 days per week, but not daily)
- How much asthma interferes with daily activities (minor limitations)
- Peak flow readings (at least 80% of personal best)
- Whether asthma flares require use or oral steroids (2 or more times in a year)
Treating Mild Persistent Asthma
Once a diagnosis of asthma has been made, the doctor will prescribe asthma medications. The two main types of asthma medicines are quick-relief medicines (used for immediate relief when an asthma attack begins) and long-term control medicines, which are to be taken every day to prevent symptoms and asthma attacks.
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." /AAAAI.org/ American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology. 12 Dec. 2007 <http://www.aaaai.org/patients/resources/fact_sheets/treating_asthma.pdf>
"How Is Asthma Diagnosed?" /National Heart Lung and Blood Institute/. May 2006. National Institutes of Health. 12 Dec. 2007 <http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Asthma/Asthma_Diagnosis.html>.
