What Are the Different Types of Asthma?

Asthma manifests in several forms and can develop under different circumstances. Some people experience asthma symptoms during certain periods of the year, while others experience them under specific work conditions, like during exercise or when exposed to specific allergens.

There are more than a dozen different types of asthma to date, each with its own set of triggers, management strategies, and treatment. This article lists nine of the most common types of asthma, including associated symptoms and triggers.   

What Is Asthma? 

Asthma is a lung condition that causes the bronchial airways—the tubes that let air in and out of the lungs—to become swollen and inflamed. This inflammation causes repeated episodes of breathlessness, wheezing, chest tightness, and nighttime or early morning coughing. Asthma often starts during childhood, though it isn’t uncommon for it to develop during adulthood. 

Like most chronic conditions, asthma differs in severity. Some people have mild intermittent asthma, which has little to no impact on their daily lives. It occurs no more than two days per week, and nighttime symptoms occur no more than two nights per month. 

Others have moderate or severe persistent asthma and experience symptoms more frequently and with greater severity. They may need a rescue inhaler several times throughout the day and may even require oral corticosteroids.  

Asthma is one of the world’s most common chronic lung conditions, affecting more than 260 million people worldwide, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). It’s often under-diagnosed and under-treated, especially in low- and middle-income countries. 

9 Common Types of Asthma

Asthma comes in many forms, depending on triggers, symptoms, and onset. Some of the most common include: 

1. Exercise Asthma 

Exercise asthma, also known as Exercise-Induced Bronchoconstriction (EIB), is triggered by exercise or physical exertion. 

EIB can occur in people with well-controlled asthma or even those who have no diagnosis of asthma. Studies suggest that EIB affects more than 11% of elite athletes, making it the most common lung disorder in this profession. Most of these athletes don’t experience asthma symptoms outside of exercise. EIB symptoms may occur 5 to 20 minutes after the exercise, including coughing, chest pain, and wheezing, ranging from mild to severe.  

2. Cold-Induced Asthma 

Cold-induced asthma, also known as winter asthma, is triggered by exposure to cold air. Cold temperatures can cause airway muscles to clamp down, making it hard for air to pass through. People with this type of asthma need to take extra precautions during cold weather, such as wearing a scarf over their nose and mouth, using a humidifier during bedtime, and limiting outdoor exposure. 

3. Allergic Asthma 

Allergies, such as pollen, pet dander, and mold, can trigger asthma symptoms and attacks in certain people. This condition is called allergic asthma. Allergic asthma is the most common type of asthma, affecting more than 80% of children and 40 to 50% of adults in the United States. 

Aside from the aforementioned triggers, people with allergic asthma may also experience symptoms when in the presence of: 

• Dust and dust mites
• Cockroaches and cockroach feces 
• Air irritants like chemical fumes, smoke, and air pollution
• Strong odors and sprays (perfumes, household cleaners, paints, etc.)
• Foods such as eggs, milk, and certain nuts 

4. Non-Allergic Asthma 

Non-allergic (intrinsic) asthma is caused by recurrent lower and upper respiratory tract infections. It can also be triggered by certain medications, chemicals, autonomic imbalance, hormonal deficiencies, and sometimes even stress and anxiety. 

Nonallergic asthma doesn’t always respond to standard asthma treatments, so it can be more challenging to manage. Treatment can include lifestyle changes, medications, stress management, and identifying and avoiding triggers. 

5. Asthma-COPD Overlap 

Asthma-COPD overlap syndrome (ACOS) refers to a condition where individuals experience symptoms of both asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Most people with asthma don’t develop COPD and vice versa, but it isn’t uncommon for both conditions to happen at once. 

ACOS is a serious condition that can be deadly if not treated properly. So, if you have either severe asthma or COPD, you should request further testing to double-check whether you have ACOS. The exact prevalence of ACOS is yet to be determined, but research estimates that it occurs in 4.2% to 66% of COPD patients and 11.1% to 61% of asthma patients. 

6. Adult-Onset Asthma

Though most commonly diagnosed during childhood, asthma can also develop for the first time in adulthood. This is known as adult-onset asthma. 

Adult-onset asthma is often triggered by factors like respiratory infections, hormonal changes, prolonged exposure to allergens or irritants, obesity, and certain medications. Some people with adult-onset asthma manage to avoid their asthma triggers for years, only to develop symptoms later in life when exposed to that trigger for the first time.  

7. Pediatric Asthma 

Also known as childhood asthma, pediatric asthma begins before age five but later disappears during a person’s teenage years or adulthood. People who have had asthma as children need to monitor their respiratory health into adulthood because symptoms may return later in life. 

8. Occupational Asthma

People with occupational asthma experience symptoms like coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath at their workplace. These symptoms are caused by exposure to inhaled irritants, such as chemicals, dust, fumes, or other substances present in the workplace. 

Occupational asthma is most common in construction, where workers are regularly exposed to dust, chemicals, and fumes. Similarly, in manufacturing, workers may be exposed to chemicals like isocyanates found in glues, paints, and plastics, as well as other respiratory irritants. People in the agricultural field may also develop asthma due to exposure to mold spores, pesticides, and animal dander. Occupational asthma is often reversible, meaning symptoms disappear when workplace irritants are avoided.

9. Aspirin-Exacerbated Asthma

As the name suggests, this type of asthma is triggered by aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen and naproxen.  Aspirin and NSAIDs inhibit an enzyme called cyclooxygenase (COX). 

In special cases, this inhibition can lead to an overproduction of leukotrienes, a group of inflammatory mediators that can cause the narrowing of the lungs.  Certain genetic factors may also increase the risk of developing this condition.

Conclusion

Asthma isn’t a one-size-fits-all condition. Some people experience asthma symptoms due to environmental factors such as pollen, dust, or cold air. Others develop it for the first time during adulthood, triggered by respiratory infections, hormonal changes, or certain medications. Some may even experience asthma solely during exercise. Understanding the different types of asthma can help people suffering from the condition develop a more comprehensive and effective treatment plan.