From Carol Sorgen, for About.com
(LifeWire)
You may think you know what asthma is, but there are four asthma types you should be aware of, each of which has its own subtle differences both in symptoms and impact on the sufferer. Figuring out which type of asthma you have is a crucial step in determining how best to treat it.
What is Asthma?
More than 22 million Americans suffer from asthma, a chronic illness in which air passages become inflamed and temporarily narrowed, making it difficult to breathe. Symptoms of asthma include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and chest tightness.People with asthma have sensitive airways that react to many environmental triggers, such as infections, allergens, strong odors, air pollution, tobacco smoke, exercise or exertion, weather, strong emotions and stress. People who have a family history of asthma also have a greater risk of developing the disease.
The 4 Asthma Types
When devising a treatment plan, one way doctors classify asthma is according to the frequency and duration of asthma symptoms. Asthma is categorized as four types:
How Doctors Diagnose Asthma
A doctor can usually diagnose asthma based on reported symptoms, so it is important for you to describe all of the symptoms you are experiencing in detail. The doctor will need to know when and how often the symptoms occur. The doctor will also record a patient's medical history, conduct an examination and order laboratory tests that measure pulmonary (lung) function. Allergy tests, blood tests and X-rays of the chest and sinuses may also be ordered.
The results of these tests and x-rays can aid in the diagnosis of asthma and help determine whether or not there are other conditions that affect it.
Standard Treatment Plans for Asthma
In addition to prescribing medications, the physician will also provide a daily management and asthma action plan to help keep the asthma under control. This plan often involves strategies to help limit exposure to asthma triggers in the home, such as:
- Using allergen-resistant covers for mattresses, box springs and pillows
- Washing bedding regularly in hot water (at least 130 degrees)
- Reducing indoor humidity to less than 50%
- Minimizing or eliminating carpets and upholstered furniture
The plan will also include information on what to do if asthma symptoms worsen, and when to contact a physician or go to the emergency room.
The doctor may also recommend keeping a peak flow meter at home. This is an instrument that measures airflow when a person with asthma blows into it. The doctor can use this information to determine if medications need to be increased or decreased. Airflow readings can also help a person with asthma know when it is necessary to call the doctor or seek emergency care.
The overall treatment plan is designed to:
- control asthma
- reduce or eliminate asthma symptoms and the frequency of asthma attacks
- lessen the need for quick-relief medicines
- help the person with asthma perform daily activities without experiencing asthma symptoms
A patient's asthma type may change – for better or worse – over the course of time and/or with treatment. If at any point the symptoms, such as coughing or wheezing, worsen or become more frequent, it's important to talk to a healthcare professional for a re-evaluation and possible change in the treatment plan.
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 "Asthma: Diagnosis." AllergyChannel.net 21 Nov. 2007. HealthCommunities.com, Inc. 12 Dec. 2007 "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
LifeWire, a part of The New York Times Company, provides original and syndicated online lifestyle content. Carol Sorgen is a freelance writer in Baltimore, MD, who writes frequently on health and wellness issues for such publications as WebMD, Today's Diet & Nutrition, The Washington Post, and the Baltimore Sun.
