Return to IndexStep 1: Taking Control of Your AsthmaStep 2: What is Asthma?Step 3: Know the SignsStep 4: How Asthma Is DiagnosedStep 5: The Levels of SeverityStep 6: Determine Your Goals and ExpectationsStep 7: Asthma DrugsStep 8: Drug Delivery DevicesStep 9: Understand Your Action PlanStep 10: Make "Peak Flow" a Habit!Step 11: Avoid Asthma TriggersStep 12: Visit Your Doctor RegularlyKey PointsGlossary
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Return to IndexStep 1: Taking Control of Your AsthmaStep 2: What is Asthma?Step 3: Know the SignsStep 4: How Asthma Is DiagnosedStep 5: The Levels of SeverityStep 6: Determine Your Goals and ExpectationsStep 7: Asthma DrugsStep 8: Drug Delivery DevicesStep 9: Understand Your Action PlanStep 10: Make "Peak Flow" a Habit!Step 11: Avoid Asthma TriggersStep 12: Visit Your Doctor RegularlyKey PointsGlossary
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| Step 5: The levels of severity |
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Once the doctor has obtained a detailed medical history, run some tests, and diagnosed you as having asthma, your asthma will be classified. This helps determine the treatment plan. There are four levels of severity:
Mild IntermittentMild PersistentModerate PersistentSevere Persistent
| Click the buttons above to see the four levels of asthma severity. Asthma is classified based on how often symptoms occur during the day, how often they occur at night, and spirometry results. |
In some cases, your doctor may use "peak flow" measurements to help assess your asthma severity instead of spirometry. Peak flow is a simple method of self monitoring that is described later.
Take note
Regardless of your asthma's classification, any single asthma episode can range from mild to severe. This is true for anyone with asthma.
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Review Date:
May 25, 2005
Reviewed By: Alan Greene, M.D., F.A.A.P., Department of Pediatrics, Packard Children's Hospital, Stanford University School of Medicine; Chief Medical Officer, A.D.A.M., Inc., and Jacqueline A. Hart, M.D., Department of Internal Medicine, Newton-Wellesley Hospital, Boston, Ma.
Reviewed By: Alan Greene, M.D., F.A.A.P., Department of Pediatrics, Packard Children's Hospital, Stanford University School of Medicine; Chief Medical Officer, A.D.A.M., Inc., and Jacqueline A. Hart, M.D., Department of Internal Medicine, Newton-Wellesley Hospital, Boston, Ma.
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