Asthma is an ongoing long-term disease that can range from mild to severe. It usually involves inflammation of the airways, which can lead to a variety of symptoms, including wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing. The severity of asthma can vary from person to person, and there are several stages of the condition.
Mild Asthma
Mild asthma is the most common type of asthma and occurs when symptoms are infrequent and relatively mild. People with mild asthma typically experience symptoms less than twice a week and they are usually relieved with over-the-counter medications.
Moderate Asthma
Moderate asthma is more severe than mild asthma, but it is still fairly common. Symptoms can occur more than twice a week and may require the use of prescription medications to control them.
Severe Asthma
Severe asthma is the most serious type of asthma and occurs when symptoms are present more than twice a week and are difficult to control with medications. People with severe asthma may need to use a combination of medications to keep their symptoms under control. They may also need to use a rescue inhaler more often than those with mild or moderate asthma.