Asthma is a very serious condition so everyone should be aware of the symptoms. Often people associate this condition with wheezing, but there are actually many other asthma symptoms that one must know. If these symptoms are not recognized, asthma is difficult to treat. By learning them, asthma sufferers can breathe easier.
Common Symptoms of Asthma
• Coughing
A cough, especially when it occurs at night, is a sign that you may be suffering from asthma. The cough may or may not be accompanied by phlegm. Often, the coughing becomes worse when you have any type of respiratory virus. This includes the cold and flu among others.
• Shortness of breath
Many who suffer from asthma report that they feel short of breath and that they cannot get enough air into their lungs. In many cases, activity or exercise can make the symptom more noticeable.
• Wheezing
This symptom often comes and goes and maybe worse first thing in the morning or at night. The wheezing may go away on its own or bronchodilators may need to be used to open the airways. Wheezing often gets worse with exercise, heartburn, or when breathing in cold air. This symptom usually comes on with no warning. This symptom is frequently seen in children.
• Chest pain or tightness
This symptom may also appear as pressure in the chest. Some notice that when they are breathing, the skin between the ribs pulls in. Doctors refer to this as intercostal retractions.
• Inability to take in enough air
This is most commonly seen with the other symptoms as the airway becomes inflamed, tighten, or becomes mucus-filled. If this symptom is seen without others, it may be a sign of another condition such as panic disorder.
Takeaway
It is important to remember that no two people will have the same asthma symptoms. Symptoms may change over time and may exhibit differences depending on the trigger. Someone suffering from this condition may have one set of asthma symptoms which are set off by exercise and another set which are set off by an allergen. At the end of the day, it is important that everyone is aware of the symptoms and triggers that cause asthma. Preventing an asthma attack is the number one goal, this can be done by recognizing the symptoms. All asthma symptoms need to be taken into account when discussing this with your doctor so you can find a treatment program that controls your asthma as much as possible.
