Asthma Symptoms 

 

In the United States, asthma affects an estimated 26 million people - many of whom may not know they have it, especially if their symptoms are not serious. The most common symptoms of asthma are:

Coughing, especially at night, during exercise or when laughing

Breathing hard

Chest tightness

Shortness of breath

Shortness of breath (whistling or wheezing in your chest when breathing, especially when exhaling)

Any asthma symptoms are serious and can be fatal if left untreated. If you experience one or more of these symptoms, visit a doctor for a diagnosis - and make an action plan for asthma.

Common Symptoms

Asthma

Frequent coughing, especially at night, can be a sign of asthma - inflammation and congestion of the lungs of the lungs affecting 26 million Americans. Your only symptom may be a dry, non-productive cough; you may also have difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, or shortness of breath.

Chest Attack

Asthma attacks can be scary. It may be as if someone were sitting on your chest or there was a cloud in your lungs. He struggles to draw the full air. Your chest tightens. Your breathing is fast.

Causes

Asthma symptoms can be caused by exposure to the skin (such as ragweed, pollen, animal skin or dust worms), airborne irritants (such as smoke, chemical smoke or strong smells) or severe weather conditions. Exercise or sickness - especially a respiratory illness or a fever - can also put you at greater risk.

Physical manifestations of strong emotions affecting normal breathing patterns - such as shouting, crying or laughing - can also serve as a cause of asthma. Anxiety can prevent a person with asthma from resting and following instructions, which is important during an asthma attack. Scientists have found that rapid breathing associated with strong emotions can cause bronchial tubes to shrink, possibly irritating or aggravating the attack.

Asthma symptoms may appear at any time. Soft episodes can last a few minutes and can be resolved automatically or with medication; the most difficult episodes can take hours to days.

People with asthma, such as those with any incurable condition, may experience severe depression. Because it is a major cause of work and absenteeism, asthma can affect one's livelihood, education, and emotional well-being. Depression may start when people who are diagnosed with asthma believe that they cannot participate in normal activities.

If you have a respiratory problem that interferes with your daily activities and lowers your quality of life, visit an asthma test in your area and see a gynecologist for diagnosis and treatment. An allergist can also help you identify early symptoms of an attack and train you on how to deal with an emergency.

Symptoms of Asthma in Children

Most children with asthma develop symptoms before they are 5 years old. For very young children, it may be difficult for parents, even doctors, to see that symptoms are caused by asthma. Bronchial tubes in infants, toddlers and preschools are already small and dense, and headaches, colds, and other illnesses can exacerbate these airways, making them smaller and more irritated.

Symptoms of asthma in children can range from chronic cough that lasts for days or weeks to emergency and sudden respiratory emergencies.

Common signs to look out for include:

Cough, especially at night

Breathing or whistling sounds when breathing, especially when exhaling

Respiratory problems or shortness of breath which causes the skin around the ribs or neck to tighten

Chronic chest pains

Your child may have one or more of these symptoms. You may think it is just a cold or bronchitis. If the symptoms recur, it is an indication that your child may have asthma. Additionally, symptoms may be worse when your child is in close proximity to other causes of asthma, such as irritability in the air (smoke or strong odor, for example) or antibodies such as pollen, pet dander and worms.

For more information, visit the Baby Chest page.