Signs and Symptoms of Asthma

Signs and symptoms of asthma vary from person to person. The signs and symptoms of asthma in children are different from those in adults. Signs and symptoms of asthma vary from mild to severe and change over time or depending on the time. Sometimes the signs and symptoms of asthma may be mildly annoying and other times they may be serious and life threatening. They may also depend on the cause and type of asthma.

Signs and symptoms of asthma vary according to their occurrence. Some people with asthma may experience the signs and symptoms every month, other experience signs and symptoms every week and some even experience them every day. Knowing the early signs and symptoms of asthma may help you in treating and preventing the asthma attacks.

Early Signs and Symptoms of Asthma

The early signs and symptoms of asthma may start just before the other symptoms of asthma. These signs and symptoms of asthma are not severe and by recognizing them you can prevent asthma from getting worse. Early signs and symptoms of asthma include:

• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing or coughing immediately after an exercise
• Frequent coughing that worsens at night
• Trouble in sleeping
• Allergy signs
• Sneezing
• Nasal congestion
• Sore throat
• Runny nose
• Headache
• Feeling tired

Signs and Symptoms of Asthma in Children

In children the signs and symptoms of asthma may start at the age 5. Signs and symptoms of asthma in children include:

• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing
• Coughing
• Chest tightness
• Chest congestion

Not all the children with asthma experience these signs and symptoms of asthma.

Common Signs and Symptoms of Asthma in Adults

The most common signs and symptoms of asthma in adults include:

• Shortness of breath: Shortness of breath or dyspnea is the most common symptom of asthma. You have a feeling of breathlessness.
• Coughing: Coughing can be considered as the first and most common symptom of asthma. Coughing often worsens at night and early in the morning causing sleeping problems.
• Chest Pain or Tightness: Not all, but some asthmatic patients experience this symptom of chest tightness. It causes a squeezing feeling in the chest during respiration.
• Wheezing: Wheezing is also one of the common symptoms of asthma, which sounds like a whistle or squeak when you breathe.
• Faster Breathing: Faster or noisy breathing is also seen in most of the asthmatic patients. This may happen due to the breathlessness, which makes you breathe faster in order to get air in and out of your lungs.
• Tightened neck and chest muscles
• Sweating
• Pale face
• Difficulty in talking

Uncommon Signs and Symptoms of Asthma

Some people with asthma may not experience common signs and symptoms like shortness of breath, coughing or wheezing. They may experience some uncommon signs and symptoms of asthma that may include:

• Fatigue
• Anxiety
• Nighttime asthma
• Unable to exercise
• Sighing
• Difficulty in concentration
• Chronic cough without wheezing

So by knowing and understanding the signs and symptoms of asthma you may take necessary action to avoid the further progression of asthma.