Common Signs and Symptoms of Asthma
Understanding your asthma symptoms is critical for recognizing what is going on in your airways. To treat allergic asthma, an allergy doctor first evaluates the triggers that cause swelling and inflammation of the airways. With these insights, it is possible to reduce the impact of environmental allergens and other substances that worsen asthma symptoms. At the Chacko Allergy, Asthma and Sinus Center, we provide specialized asthma diagnosis and treatment services for Atlanta area patients.
What are the Early Symptoms of Asthma?
The early symptoms of asthma aren’t bad enough to interfere with your day to day activities, but should still be taken seriously. Recognizing these signs can help prevent the possibility of a full on asthma attack. Early warning signs of asthma include:
- Frequent Coughing or Wheezing – Periods of coughing and wheezing are common after physical activity or at night.
- Shortness of Breath and Fatigue During Exercise – Struggling to breathe efficiently and feeling tired or weak can indicate early signs of asthma.
- Changes in Mood or Energy – Feeling tired, easily upset or moody may be linked to difficulty breathing or sleep disturbances.
- Cold or Allergy-Like Symptoms – Many of the main types of allergies can trigger symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, sore throat, headache and coughing.
- Trouble Sleeping – Individuals may face difficulty falling or staying asleep due to uncomfortable symptoms like wheezing or shortness of breath.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms you should see an allergy doctor to get you on the right medicine to help the symptoms and make sure that these symptoms don’t worsen into an asthma attack. Asthma attacks can lead to the emergency room visit or even staying in the hospital for observation or to calm your attacks if they are frequent.
What are the Early Symptoms of an Asthma Attack?
An asthma attack is a condition where the band of muscle in your airways is triggered to tighten. This tightening is called bronchospasm. During an asthma attack, your airway will become swollen or inflamed and your airway will produce thinker than normal mucus, closing your airway even more.
Each of these factors – bronchospasm, inflammation, and mucus production, cause difficulty breathing, wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath. Other symptoms of an asthma attack include the following:
- Intense Wheezing and Rapid Breathing – Severe wheezing, coughing and very fast breathing are signs of narrowing airways.
- Chest Tightness and Pain – Pressure, pain or a feeling of tightness in the chest can signal airway obstruction.
- Struggling to Speak or Breathe – Difficulty talking, gasping for air or tightened neck and chest muscles are signs of severe respiratory distress.
- Visible Physical Changes – A pale, sweaty face or blue lips and fingernails may indicate low oxygen levels.
- Feelings of Panic or Anxiety – Shortness of breath and lack of oxygen can lead to a sense of fear, panic and anxiety.
Asthma Symptoms in Children
As many as 10% – 12% of children in America are affected by asthma. Asthma symptoms can start at any age, but for most children, they will have their first sign of asthma by the age of 5. Possible signs of asthma in a child include:
- Frequent or Persistent Coughing – Children may experience a chronic cough and recurring coughing spells at night or after physical activity.
- Loud or Rapid Breathing – Parents should be aware of fast, noisy or labored breathing, with a see-saw motion in the chest.
- Shortness of Breath or Wheezing – Children with asthma often display wheezing sounds and difficulty breathing comfortably.
- Chest Discomfort or Muscle Tightness – A child may describe chest pain or show tightened neck and chest muscles while trying to breathe.
- Low Energy or General Weakness – Children with asthma can feel tired and weak due to reduced oxygen intake.
Asthma Symptoms and Diagnosis in Adults
An average of 1 in 12 adults is being treated for asthma symptoms. Developing asthma as an adult is often called “late-onset asthma” or “adult onset asthma”. Adults are often surprised when they find out that they have asthma later in life, however, it is not uncommon.
Due to asthma being life-threatening if untreated, it is important to see an allergy doctor if you are experiencing any possible asthma signs.
Adults with asthma experience many of the same symptoms as children – coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness and difficulty breathing during physical activity. However, unlike some children who may only have chronic nighttime coughing as an asthma symptom, most adults have a broader range of symptoms, like wheezing and chest pressure. Also, adults can describe their symptoms with more detail than young children, often making a diagnosis easier.
What are the Complications of Asthma?
Some of the complications of asthma include the following:
- Symptoms that interfere with sleep, work or activities
- More than usual sick days from work or school during flare-ups
- Permanent narrowing of the bronchial tubes that affects breathing
- Emergency room visits and hospitalizations for severe asthma attacks
- Side effects of long-term use of medications.
When Should I See a Doctor if I Think I have Symptoms of Asthma?
If you start to notice that you have frequent coughing or wheezing that lasts more than a few days, or any other signs, see an allergy doctor right away. If you go untreated your symptoms can worsen and cause long-term lung damage.
Symptoms like coughing and chest tightness could be related to an infection, but it’s still important to get the issue checked. During the checkup your doctor may recommend spirometry testing to see how well your lungs work. Spirometry will confirm if you have asthma, and the severity of the condition.
How Can I Prevent Asthma Attacks?
Unfortunately, there is no way to prevent asthma, but by working with your allergy doctor or allergist and staying on track with the treatment plan they have given you, you can control your asthma attacks.
- Follow your asthma action plan – with your allergist, create a detailed plan that includes your medications and steps for managing an oncoming asthma attack.
- Get vaccinated for influenza and pneumonia – staying current with all your vaccinations that prevent you from getting the flu or pneumonia, will help with triggering asthma flare-ups.
- Identify and avoid asthma triggers – Find out what causes or worsens your asthma, and take the necessary steps to avoid your triggers.
- Monitor your breathing – learn to recognize warning signs of wheezing, slight cough or shortness of breath.
- Identify and treat attacks early – once you start to feel an attack, act fast in treating it, this way you will be less likely to have a severe attack.
- Take your medication as prescribed – just because you feel your improving, never miss your medications without talking to your allergy doctor first.
- Pay attention to increasing “quick-relief” inhaler use – if you find that your relying on your inhaler more than usual then your asthma isn’t under control. Talk to your allergist about adjusting your treatment plan.
The Impact of Asthma Symptoms
Asthma leads to various physical, social and economic issues in the United States. CDC data shows there were 5.8 million annual physician office visits for asthma. In addition, as many as 13 million school days were missed due to asthma symptoms. However, a study published in the National Library of Medicine found that children with poorly controlled asthma missed substantially more school days, indicating that implementing effective asthma management strategies can reduce absenteeism and improve educational outcomes.
Common Questions About Asthma Symptoms
How do I know if I have asthma?
Asthma is characterized by shortness of breath, wheezing and other issues with the airways. To understand if these symptoms are related to asthma or another condition, your allergist will perform several tests to make a diagnosis.
Can you suddenly develop asthma?
Asthma can develop at any age and without warning. Environmental allergy triggers or irritants found in the workplace might cause an asthma attack that swells and inflames the airways.
What are some early warning signs of asthma?
Some of the earliest asthma symptoms include changes to your breathing, itching in your throat and increased mucus production. Speak to your allergy doctor if you are concerned about any potential asthma symptoms.
At the First Symptoms of Asthma, Get the Correct Diagnosis From Dr. Thomas Chacko
Many people simply deal with the early symptoms of asthma, but it’s important to get the correct diagnosis as early as possible. Chacko Allergy, Asthma and Sinus Center specializes in treating adult-onset asthma and asthma in children. Call us at (678) 668-4688 with questions or to request an appointment today.
