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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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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 takes a detailed medical history and runs some tests, the doctor can classify how severe your asthma is. This helps your doctor decide which treat is best for you. Your asthma should be classified again at every office visit. There are four levels of severity:
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. |
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.
References
National Asthma Education and Prevention Program Expert Panel Report 3: Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma. Rockville, MD. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, US Dept of Health and Human Services; 2007. NIH publications 08-4051.
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Review Date:
6/1/2010
Reviewed By: David A. Kaufman, MD, Section Chief, Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine, Bridgeport Hospital-Yale New Haven Health System, and Assistant Clinical Professor, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Previously reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc. (6/18/2008)
Reviewed By: David A. Kaufman, MD, Section Chief, Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine, Bridgeport Hospital-Yale New Haven Health System, and Assistant Clinical Professor, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Previously reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc. (6/18/2008)
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A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
