Asthma Symptoms and Signs

Drsheetusingh
4 min readSep 13, 2023

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Asthma Symptoms

If you have asthma, your airways may become congested, and swollen, and produce more mucus. This could make breathing difficult and result in coughing, wheezing when you exhale, and shortness of breath. Asthma might be a slight irritant for some people. Others may struggle with a major problem that makes daily tasks difficult and may cause a fatal asthma attack.

Even while asthma cannot be cured, its symptoms can be managed. Asthma frequently changes over time, so you must work with your doctor to evaluate your signs and symptoms and adjust your therapy as appropriate.

Which Symptoms Characterize Asthma?

Inflamed bronchial tubes produce more sticky secretions as a result of the inflammation. When the airways tighten, swell, or inflame, asthma symptoms develop. Typical asthmatic signs include:

  • Wheezing
  • Coughing, especially at night
  • Chest tightness, pain, or pressure
  • Shortness of breath

asthma when they exercise or when they have viral illnesses like colds. However, not every asthmatic experiences the same symptoms in the same way. It’s possible that you only seldom or not at all encounter some of these symptoms. Additionally, the severity of your asthma symptoms may change from one asthma incident to the next.

Some asthmatics may experience prolonged symptom-free intervals, interrupted by sporadic exacerbation of their symptoms known as asthma attacks. Some people could experience asthma symptoms daily. Additionally, some people may only get

Know the Early Symptoms of Asthma

Changes that take place right before or at the very start of an asthma episode are known as early warning symptoms. These symptoms are the first indications that your asthma is getting worse and may appear before the more typical asthma symptoms.

Typically, these symptoms are not severe enough to keep you from performing your daily tasks. However, by being aware of these symptoms, you can avoid an asthma attack or stop it from worsening. Asthma attack precursors include these symptoms:

  • Coughing often, especially at night.
  • breathing difficulties or lack of breath.
  • feeling particularly weak or worn out after exercise.
  • exercise-related wheezing or coughing.
  • Being worn out, easily irritated, cranky, or moody.
  • Lung function changes or declines as detected by a peak flow meter.
  • Sneezing, runny nose, coughing, nasal congestion, sore throat, and headache are symptoms of a cold or allergies.
  • difficulty sleeping.

Adjust your medication as recommended in your asthma action plan if you experience these warning symptoms.

Know the Asthma Symptoms in Children

In the United States, asthma is the most common chronic condition in children, affecting 10% to 12% of them. The prevalence of asthma in children is rising rapidly for unidentified causes. Although asthma symptoms can appear at any age, the majority of kids experience their first asthma symptoms by age 5.

Not all asthmatic kids wheeze. A child’s asthma may not be recognized if their persistent cough is mistakenly thought to be caused by recurrent bronchitis. Perhaps the only explicit sign of asthma is persistent coughing.

Causes and Triggers of Childhood Asthma

Common triggers include:

  • Airway infections This covers colds, pneumonia, and sinus infections.
  • Allergens Cockroaches, dust mites, mold, pet dander, and pollen are among the possible allergens that your child may be sensitive to.
  • Irritants Their airways may become irritated by things like smoke, chemicals, cold air, odors, or air pollution.
  • Exercise It may cause chest tightness, coughing, and wheezing.
  • Stress Your child’s symptoms can get worse and they might get more breathless.

Know About Unusual Asthma Symptoms

The usual coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath are not experienced by all asthmatics. People may have strange asthma symptoms that might not seem to be connected to asthma. The following are some “unusual” asthma symptoms that may occur:

  • Fatigue
  • Rapid breathing
  • Sighing
  • Inability to exercise properly
  • Anxiety
  • Chronic cough without wheezing

Additionally, other illnesses including bronchitis, voice cord dysfunction, and even heart failure can resemble the symptoms of asthma. It is crucial to comprehend your body. Dr. Sheetu Singh expanded her expertise in Asthma. She is one of the well-known Asthma specialist doctors in Jaipur, Rajasthan. She has been successful in establishing a loyal clientele.

Why Do Infections Trigger Asthma Symptoms?

A virus or bacterial infection can occasionally cause asthma. For instance, your asthma symptoms could be brought on by a cold virus. Or a sinus infection caused by bacteria may cause your asthma to flare up. Asthma and sinusitis are prevalent.

It’s crucial to be aware of the warning signs and symptoms of respiratory tract infections and to contact your doctor right away for a diagnosis and treatment. For instance, a bronchial infection may cause symptoms like wheezing, breathing problems, or increased shortness of breath.

Also Read:

When Should I Consult A Chest Specialist

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Drsheetusingh
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Dr. Sheetu Singh, a nationally renowned pulmonologist, Director ILD & Pulmonary Rehab Clinic, is an expert in chest-related conditions.