Types of Asthma Explained

One minute, you’re breathing fine. The next, your chest tightens, and every breath feels like a battle. If you’ve ever felt this way, asthma might be the culprit. But did you know there are multiple types of asthma, each with its own set of triggers and patterns?

Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition that affects nearly 28 million people across the U.S. by causing episodes of wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing.¹ Since asthma doesn’t look the same for everyone, understanding your specific type is the first step toward real relief. Let’s explore the different forms it can take and how IDYLLIC Infusion Treatment Center can help you stay a step ahead.

What Is Asthma?

Asthma is a chronic lung disease that causes inflammation in the airways, making breathing difficult. During an asthma attack, the muscles around the airways tighten, the lining becomes swollen, and mucus production increases, further obstructing airflow. Asthma can range from intermittent to persistent, and its symptoms may vary from occasional flare-ups to persistent breathing difficulties.^1,2

People with asthma often experience episodes when symptoms worsen, known as asthma attacks. These can be triggered by a variety of factors, including allergens, exercise, the weather, or respiratory infections.

Common Types of Asthma

Asthma isn’t a one-size-fits-all condition. There are several types, each with distinct triggers and characteristics. Below, we’ll break down the most common types of asthma to help you understand more about what you’re dealing with.

Allergic (Extrinsic) Asthma

As you can guess by the name, allergic asthma is triggered by allergens like pollen, dust mites, pet dander, and mold. It’s the most common form of asthma and often begins in childhood, frequently alongside other allergic conditions like eczema or hay fever.

This type of asthma starts as type I hypersensitivity, meaning your immune system has an adverse reaction. When exposed to an allergy, the body releases chemicals like histamine and leukotrienes that cause inflammation, mucus buildup, and airway tightening.³

The good news is that allergic asthma tends to respond well to treatments like inhaled steroids, antihistamines, and biologic therapies that block IgE like XOLAIR® (omalizumab).

Non-Allergic (Intrinsic) Asthma

Unlike allergic asthma, intrinsic asthma is not triggered by allergens but by irritants like cold air, stress, exercise, infections, or even hormonal changes. It typically shows up in adulthood and isn’t linked to elevated IgE levels or positive allergy tests.⁴ While the symptoms — wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath — can look similar to allergic asthma, the underlying causes are different.

Recent research suggests intrinsic asthma may involve immune responses to unidentified antigens, possibly even the body’s own tissues, or viral infections that overstimulate the body’s autonomic and hormonal systems.⁴

Exercise-Induced Bronchoconstriction (EIB)

EIB, formerly called exercise-induced asthma, occurs when the airways narrow during or after physical activity. It’s common in people with asthma — but even those without it, including top athletes, can experience symptoms like shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, or chest tightness during exercise.⁵

Cold, dry air is a major trigger, especially in sports like running, hockey, or skiing. Activities like walking, swimming, or short-distance sports are usually less problematic.

Using a bronchodilator inhaler before workouts or taking daily asthma meds like inhaled corticosteroids can offer relief. Warming up, covering your mouth in cold weather, and adjusting your routine can also help manage symptoms.

Occupational Asthma

Exposure to irritants or allergens at work can trigger occupational asthma. This may include substances like dust, chemicals, or fumes. Construction workers, veterinarians, and factory workers are particularly at risk. Symptoms often mimic regular asthma (wheezing, coughing, chest tightness) and may worsen during or after work hours.

Early diagnosis and avoiding exposure can help reverse symptoms, but long-term exposure may cause permanent damage. Treatment includes avoiding triggers, using asthma medications, and, in some cases, switching jobs or work environments.⁶

Cough-Variant Asthma (CVA)

Characterized primarily by a chronic cough without the typical wheezing and shortness of breath, cough-variant asthma can be challenging to diagnose. In fact, it may account for up to 42% of chronic cough cases.⁷

It’s often triggered by respiratory infections or exposure to allergens or cold air. Without treatment, CVA can progress to classic asthma. Early diagnosis and treatment are key to preventing long-term airway changes.

Aspirin-Induced Asthma (AIA)

For some individuals, taking aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can trigger severe asthma symptoms alongside nasal polyps and sinus inflammation. This is referred to as “aspirin triad.” Symptoms can include sudden asthma attacks, nasal congestion, runny nose, and eye swelling, usually within 3 hours of taking aspirin.

AIA affects about 10% of adults with asthma and is linked to increased leukotrienes, not allergies. Those affected need to avoid aspirin and NSAIDs, and use inhaled steroids and leukotriene blockers for long-term relief.⁸

Nocturnal (Nighttime) Asthma

Asthma symptoms that worsen at night are classified as nocturnal asthma. This affects up to 60% of people with asthma and is often a sign of poorly controlled asthma.⁹

Nocturnal asthma is tied to the body’s internal clock (circadian rhythm). Lung function naturally dips around 4 a.m., while hormones like adrenaline and cortisol, which help open airways, drop. Meanwhile, melatonin and inflammation rise, increasing airway sensitivity.

Triggers may include:

Post-nasal drip, acid reflux, or sinus drainage
Lying flat while sleeping
Cold air
Allergens like dust mites, pet dander, mold
Smoking or secondhand smoke
Conditions like GERD, sleep apnea, or obesity

This can significantly disrupt sleep and reduce overall quality of life.

Eosinophilic Asthma

This severe form of asthma is characterized by high levels of eosinophils, a type of white blood cell involved in inflammation. When eosinophils are activated, they release inflammatory substances that trigger mucus production, airway swelling, and breathing issues.

Eosinophilic asthma often presents as severe, late-onset asthma and may be resistant to standard treatments like inhaled steroids.¹⁰ Biologic therapies for asthma may be required to find long-term relief.

Asthma-COPD Overlap Syndrome (ACOS)

ACOS occurs when someone has both asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It’s more common in older adults and those with a history of smoking or long-standing asthma. These patients tend to experience more severe symptoms, frequent flare-ups, faster lung function decline, and worse quality of life than those with either condition alone.¹¹

Causes and Triggers of Asthma

Asthma can be triggered by various factors, and understanding these can help you manage your symptoms better. Here are some common causes and triggers:¹²

Allergens: Pollen, dust mites, mold, and pet dander are common allergens that can set off asthma attacks.
Respiratory Infections: Colds, flu, COVID-19, and other respiratory viruses can trigger symptoms.
Physical Activity: Vigorous exercise, especially in cold, dry air, can lead to exercise-induced asthma.
Irritants: Cigarette smoke, strong odors, air pollution, and chemical fumes are common irritants.
Weather Conditions: Cold air, dry wind, and sudden weather changes can provoke symptoms.
Stress and Emotions: Strong emotional reactions, such as stress or excitement, can tighten airways.
Medications: Certain drugs, like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or aspirin, may worsen asthma symptoms.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): Acid reflux can irritate the airways and cause asthma flare-ups.
Hormonal Changes: Fluctuations in hormones, particularly during menstruation or menopause, can exacerbate asthma.
Food Allergies: Some people experience asthma symptoms after consuming specific foods or additives.

Asthma Treatment and Management Strategies

Managing asthma effectively requires a comprehensive treatment plan. Here are some of the most common strategies:

Medication Management:¹³

Bronchodilators provide quick relief by relaxing airway muscles.
Inhaled corticosteroids reduce inflammation and prevent symptoms.
Biologic therapies target specific pathways involved in asthma, particularly for severe cases.

Lifestyle Modifications:

Identify and avoid triggers as much as possible.
Follow an asthma action plan created with your healthcare provider.

Breathing Exercises:

Techniques like diaphragmatic breathing can help strengthen the lungs.¹⁴
Practicing relaxation exercises can reduce emotional flare-ups.

Breathe Easier with IDYLLIC Infusions By Your Side

Living with asthma doesn’t have to mean constantly feeling limited or anxious. At IDYLLIC Infusion Treatment Center, we offer advanced infusion therapies that target inflammation, reduce symptoms, and enhance your quality of life.

Whether you’re dealing with mild symptoms or a severe form of asthma, our dedicated staff is here to support you every step of the way. Speak to your primary care doctor today about how infusions for asthma treatment can help you breathe easier and live healthier!

¹https://aafa.org/asthma/asthma-facts/

²https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/6424-asthma

³https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/pharmacology-toxicology-and-pharmaceutical-science/extrinsic-asthma

⁴https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/intrinsic-asthma

⁵https://acaai.org/asthma/types-of-asthma/exercise-induced-bronchoconstriction-eib/

⁶https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/asthma/occupational-asthma

⁷https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S221321982401170X

⁸https://www.jacionline.org/article/S0091-6749(99)70106-5/fulltext

⁹https://allergyasthmanetwork.org/what-is-asthma/nocturnal-asthma/

¹⁰https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3990389/

¹¹https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6375482/

¹²https://aafa.org/asthma/asthma-triggers-causes/