Asthma is classified based on the severity, frequency and duration of symptoms, the degree to which airflow is obstructed, and the extent asthma symptoms interfere with daily activities. If you have asthma, it's important that your doctor define the type of asthma you have because treatments will differ depending on where you fall.
The following guidelines for diagnosing asthma were developed by the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program, of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute at the National Institutes of Health.
| Asthma severity |
Symptom severity |
Nighttime symptoms |
|
Severe persistent |
- Continual symptoms
- Limited physical activity
- Frequent exacerbations interfere with normal activities
|
Frequent |
|
Moderate persistent |
- Daily symptoms
- Exacerbations two or more times a week. These may last
for days and they may interfere with activities.
|
More than once a week |
|
Mild persistent |
- Symptoms occur more than two times a week, but less
than once a day.
- Exacerbations may affect activities.
|
More than two times a month |
|
Mild intermittent |
- Symptoms occur two or fewer times a week.
- Exacerbations are brief (a few hours to a few days) and
the intensity varies.
|
Two or fewer times a month |
