MILD, MODERATE, AND SEVERE ASTHMA

Two sets of guidelines are used to classify asthma severity: the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) and the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP). The NAEPP classifies asthma as intermittent or persistent, and further categorizes persistent asthma as mild, moderate, or severe. Intermittent asthma is characterized by infrequent, short flare-ups. Mild asthma does not cause problems on a daily basis and can be managed with low-dose, inhaled medications as needed. Moderate asthma causes lower lung function and symptoms on most days that can still be well managed with a combination of oral and inhaled medications as needed. Severe asthma is chronic, difficult to control with common medications, and may require alternative therapies like LAMA (long-acting muscarinic antagonists) and biologics.

P.S. People with intermittent asthma often have higher lung function and their symptoms don’t affect daily activities.

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