Based on the severity of symptoms , the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP) has grouped asthma into 4 categories – mild intermittent, mild persistent, moderate persistent, and severe persistent. This classification system is used to help guide treatment.

Mild Intermittent Asthma:

Does not impact normal daily life

• Symptoms occur less than 2 days per week.
• Broken sleep due to shortness of breath less than twice a month.
• Need to use rescue inhaler less than twice a month.
• FEV1 (forced expiratory volume 1) is normal.

Mild Persistent Asthma: 

Has minimal impact on normal daily life

• Symptoms occur more than 2 days per week, but not every day.
• Broken sleep due to shortness of breath more than twice a month.
• Need to use rescue inhaler more than twice a month.
• FEV1 >80% predicted.

Moderate Persistent Asthma:

Has some impact on normal daily life

• Symptoms occur daily.
• Broken sleep due to shortness of breath more than once a week.
• Need to use rescue inhaler daily.
• FEV1 60-80% predicted.

Severe Persistent Asthma:

Daily life impacted by symptoms

• Symptoms occur multiple times a day.
• Broken sleep due to shortness of breath on most nights.
• Need to use rescue inhaler several times a day.
• FEV1 <60% predicted.