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Asthma Classification
Based on the results of your visit with an asthma specialist, your asthma will be classified in one of the following categories (based on National Heart Blood and Lung Institute guidelines):
Mild Intermittent Asthma
Symptoms of cough, wheeze, chest tightness or difficulty breathing less than twice a week
Flare-ups-brief, but intensity may vary
Nighttime symptoms less than twice a month
No symptoms between flare-ups
Lung function test FEV1 equal to or above 80 percent of normal values
Peak flow less than 20 percent variability AM-to-AM or AM-to-PM, day-to-day.
Mild Persistent Asthma
Symptoms of cough, wheeze, chest tightness or difficulty breathing three to six times a week
Flare-ups-may affect activity level
Nighttime symptoms three to four times a month
Lung function test FEV1 equal to or above 80 percent of normal values
Peak flow less than 20 to 30 percent variability.
Moderate Persistent Asthma
Symptoms of cough, wheeze, chest tightness or difficulty breathing daily
Flare-ups-may affect activity level
Nighttime symptoms 5 or more times a month
Lung function test FEV1 above 60 percent but below 80 percent of normal values
Peak flow more than 30 percent variability.
Severe Persistent Asthma
Symptoms of cough, wheeze, chest tightness or difficulty breathing continual
Nighttime symptoms frequently
Lung function test FEV1 less than or equal to 60 percent of normal values
Peak flow more than 30 percent variability.
The level of asthma severity will determine what types of medicine you will need to get your asthma under control.
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