What Are Asthma Symptoms? | AAFA.org

When you have asthma, it’s important to know what is happening in your airways, as well as common asthma symptoms. Understanding asthma symptoms can help you know what your triggers are, when you need quick-relief (“rescue”) medicines, and when you are having a medical emergency. 

There are three changes in your airways when you have asthma:

1. Swelling inside the airways
2. Excess mucus clogs the airways
3. Muscles tighten and squeeze around the airways

This swelling, clogging, and muscle tightening makes your airways smaller or narrower. This makes it harder for air to flow easily through your airways, and it becomes harder to breathe. This causes asthma symptoms, also known as an asthma episode, flare-up, or attack. It can happen at any time. Mild symptoms may only last a few minutes while more severe asthma symptoms can last hours or days.

Breathing becomes difficult and stressful, like trying to breathe through a straw stuffed with cotton.

Common signs and symptoms of asthma include:

• Shortness of breath
• Cough
• Chest tightness or pain
• Wheeze (a whistling sound when you breathe)
• Waking at night due to asthma symptoms
• A drop in your peak flow meter reading (if you use one)

Not everyone with asthma has the same symptoms. You may only have one symptom, or you may have many symptoms.

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What Are the Signs and Symptoms of an Asthma Episode or Attack?

If you have asthma, work with your doctor to make an Asthma Action Plan. An Asthma Action Plan is a document that tells you how to manage your asthma according to your symptoms.

Talk with your doctor about your symptoms and steps to manage them. If you do not have an Asthma Action Plan, you can download and email AAFA’s Asthma Action Plan (available in English and Spanish) to your doctor or print a copy for your doctor to fill out.

Take your asthma medicines as directed on your Asthma Action Plan, and always take your quick-relief medicines at the first sign of symptoms.

An asthma action plan has three zones:

Asthma Green/Go Zone

Take your control or preventive medicines as directed (if prescribed). You are in the Green/Go Zone if you have all of these:

• Breathing is good
• No cough or wheeze
• No chest tightness or pain
• Can sleep through the night
• Can work and play

Green/Go Zone Actions

If exercise is an asthma trigger, your Asthma Action Plan may have you take ​quick-relief medicine before you exercise to prevent asthma symptoms before you begin (sometimes referred to as “pre-treatment”). This will be listed on the Green/Go Zone of the plan.

When you are in the Green/Go Zone, your asthma is well-controlled.

Asthma Yellow/Caution Zone

You are in the Yellow/Caution Zone when you first start having asthma signs or symptoms. Signs and symptoms that your asthma is getting worse include:

• Shortness of breath
• Cough
• Chest tightness or pain
• Wheezing
• Waking at night due to asthma symptoms
• Having any signs or symptoms after an exposure to a known trigger
• Having breathing difficulty when sick with a cold or respiratory illness

Yellow/Caution Zone Actions

Take your asthma medicines as listed on your Asthma Action Plan at the first sign of symptoms when you are in the Yellow/Caution Zone. This may be one quick-relief medicine (like albuterol), a quick-relief medicine and controller taken one right after each other, or a combination inhaler. Monitor your symptoms until they improve.

If your quick-relief medicines don’t help and your symptoms do not improve, call your doctor.

If you are in the Yellow/Caution Zone two or more times per week, it is a sign your asthma is not controlled and you may need to contact your health care provider (doctor).

Asthma Red/Danger Zone

If you are in the Red/Danger Zone, take your quick-relief medicines. If your breathing does not improve quickly, get emergency help. Severe asthma episodes can be life-threatening.

Signs and symptoms of an asthma emergency that need urgent medical care:

• Asthma is getting worse quickly
• Asthma quick-relief medicines are not helping
• Chest tightness or pain
• Severe shortness of breath
• Breathing is faster or slower than normal
• Breathing may be hard or shallow
• Trouble walking or talking due to shortness of breath
• Chest retractions (skin sucks in between or around the neck, chest plate, and/or rib bones when inhaling; this is rare in adults)
• Ribs or stomach moving in and out deeply and rapidly
• Expanded chest that does not deflate when you exhale
• Shoulders hunched over (“posturing”)
• Cyanosis, a tissue color change on mucus membranes (tongue, lips, and around the eyes) and fingertips or nail beds – the color appears grayish or whitish on darker skin tones and bluish on lighter skin tones

Infants, toddlers, and children may have different asthma emergency signs and symptoms than adults. Signs and symptoms of a severe asthma episode in infants, toddlers, and children:

• Infants with asthma who fail to respond or recognize parents
• Nasal flaring – nostrils open wide/flare (may be rare in adults)
• Working harder to breathe (nasal flaring, skin is sucking in around and between ribs or above the sternum, or exaggerated belly movement or belly breathing)
• Cyanosis, a tissue color change on mucus membranes (tongue, lips, and around the eyes) and fingertips or nail beds – the color appears grayish or whitish on darker skin tones and bluish on lighter skin tones
• Infants with asthma in respiratory distress may have bobbing head, grunting, floppy body, or be irritable, agitated, cranky, and/or lethargic (sluggish)

Red/Danger Zone Actions

Red/Danger Zone symptoms are a medical emergency. Take your quick-relief medicines right away as directed on your Asthma Action Plan and then get immediate medical attention. Call 911 or go directly to the emergency room.

Follow up with your provider within two days of an emergency department visit or hospital stay.

Early Warning Signs of an Asthma Episode or Attack

Sometimes you may have early warning signs that an asthma episode is coming. You may have these signs before you start to have more obvious asthma symptoms. Identifying warning signs and taking steps to prevent asthma episodes can help keep asthma well-controlled. Early warning signs may be different for each person, but some common warning signs can include:

• Increased mucus/sputum production
• Runny/stuffy/congested nose
• Itchy neck or chin
• Feeling tired, weak, or lack of energy
• Raised shoulders, slouching

Your doctor can help you identify your early warning signs. When you have early warning signs, treat this as if you are in the Yellow/Caution Zone. Take your quick-relief asthma medicines as soon as you start to have early warning signs.

How Can I Prevent and Treat Asthma Symptoms?

There is no cure for asthma, but it can be managed. There are two steps to controlling asthma: taking medicines and avoiding or limiting asthma triggers.

To prevent asthma symptoms:

• Avoid or limit contact with your asthma triggers and allergens. Use AAFA’s Healthier Home Checklist to identify asthma triggers and allergens in your home and make your indoor environment healthier.
• Get vaccinated. Respiratory infections like colds and the flu can worsen asthma. Get a flu vaccine every year. Keep your lungs healthy by getting other vaccinations as recommended.
• Create an Asthma Action Plan with your doctor. Follow it when you have symptoms. If you are having trouble staying in the Green/Go Zone, your asthma may not be well-controlled. Talk with your doctor about your treatment plan.
• Take your asthma medicines as directed. If your doctor prescribed a medicine to control your asthma, take it as directed. This may be as needed or every day. Follow your Asthma Action Plan.
• Take care of your general health. It can be hard to take care of your health but doing so can help you better manage asthma. Try to get plenty of sleep and exercise. Eat healthy foods as much as possible, stay hydrated, and find ways to manage stress.

To treat sudden asthma symptoms:

• Take quick-relief medicines at the first sign of symptoms. Always have your quick-relief medicines with you. You never know when or where symptoms will happen. Take quick-relief medicines as soon as you start feeling symptoms.
• Take medicines as directed on your Asthma Action Plan. If your symptoms are not improving or getting worse quickly, seek medical attention right away. This means you are in the Red/Danger Zone.

Talk with your doctor about your asthma symptoms and be sure to discuss any changes in your asthma control. With proper treatment and an asthma management plan, you can reduce your symptoms and enjoy a better quality of life.

How Do I Know If My Asthma Is Not Well-Controlled?

A good way to know if your asthma is not well-controlled is by answering these questions:

• Do you have asthma symptoms more than two times a week?
• Do you take your quick-relief medicine more than two times a week?
• Do you wake up from asthma more than two times a month?
• Do you use oral corticosteroids more than two times a year?

If you answer “yes” to any of these questions,​ talk with your doctor.

If your asthma is not well-controlled, your daily activities may be limited. You may miss work or school. You may increase your chances of having complications from a respiratory infection. And you may be at greater risk for going to the emergency room, staying in the hospital, or even dying from asthma.

Why Does My Asthma Act Up at Night?

Asthma can get worse at night. If you have symptoms at night, it’s called nighttime asthma. This is often a sign of uncontrolled asthma. It probably has to do with natural body rhythms and changes in your body’s hormones. With the right asthma management and treatment, you should be able to sleep through the night.

What Other Tools Can I Use for Monitoring Asthma Control?

Peak Flow Meter

Sometimes doctors recommend a peak flow meter – a handheld device that measures how well air moves out of your lungs. A peak flow meter, when used every day, can spot reduced airflow before you notice the signs and symptoms of an asthma episode.

Peak flow meter readings can help you monitor your asthma control. But they are just one tool. Your peak flow meter reading is not the only indicator of asthma control. Always follow your Asthma Action Plan.

Pulse Oximeter

Doctors use pulse oximeters (or “pulse ox”) to measure how much oxygen your blood is carrying. Some people with asthma may experience a drop in their oxygen levels in their blood.

Pulse oximeters you can buy online and use at home are not as accurate as medical grade devices. Monitoring your blood oxygen levels with pulse oximeters is not a recommended part of home management of asthma.

Lung Function Tests

Your allergist (allergy and asthma doctor) or pulmonologist (lung doctor) may use different lung function tests to assess your asthma control. Learn more about the tests used to diagnose and monitor asthma.

Asthma Medicines: Control and Quick-Relief or a Combination?

Your provider will prescribe asthma medicines to help you control or prevent symptoms as well as medicines that work to relieve symptoms when they happen. You may be prescribed two separate medicines, or a medicine that combines them into one.

The medicines your doctor prescribes will depend on the severity of your asthma. Follow your Asthma Action Plan to know which medicines to take and when to take them. Your plan may call for:

• An inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) taken daily to control and prevent symptoms plus a quick-relief inhaler (like albuterol) to treat symptoms when they happen
• An ICS inhaler plus a quick-relief inhaler taken as needed, one right after the other, to treat symptoms when they happen
• A combination inhaler that includes both types of medicines (control and quick-relief) into one inhaler that can be used daily and/or as needed
• Only a quick-relief inhaler to treat symptoms when they happen (for intermittent asthma only)
• Adding a biologic medicine (a shot or infusion) to your control and quick-relief medicines

Medical Review July 2021 by Bradley A. Becker, MD, and January 2022 by Mitchell Grayson, MD

What Causes Asthma? | American Lung Association

The most common factors for developing asthma are having a parent with asthma, having a severe respiratory infection as a child, having an allergic condition, or being exposed to certain chemical irritants or industrial dusts in the workplace.

Scientists continue to explore what causes asthma, but we do know that these factors play an important role in the development of asthma:

• Family history
  If you have a parent with asthma, you are three to six times more likely to develop asthma than someone who does not have a parent with asthma.
• Allergies
  Some people are more likely to develop allergies than others, especially if one of their parents has allergies. Certain allergic conditions, such as atopic dermatitis (eczema) or allergic rhinitis (hay fever), are linked to people who get asthma.
• Viral respiratory infections
  Respiratory problems during infancy and childhood can cause wheezing. Some children who experience viral respiratory infections go on to develop chronic asthma.
• Occupational exposures
  If you have asthma, exposures to certain elements in the workplace can cause asthma symptoms. And, for some people, exposure to certain dusts (industrial or wood dusts), chemical fumes and vapors, and molds can cause asthma to develop for the very first time.
• Smoking
  Cigarette smoke irritates the airways. Smokers have a high risk of asthma. Those whose mothers smoked during pregnancy or who were exposed to secondhand smoke are also more likely to have asthma. Learn more about the health effects of smoking with asthma
• Air Pollution
  Exposure to the main component of smog (ozone) raises the risk for asthma. Those who grew up or live in urban areas have a higher risk for asthma.
• Obesity
  Children and adults who are overweight or obese are at a greater risk of asthma. Although the reasons are unclear, some experts point to low-grade inflammation in the body that occurs with extra weight. Obese patients often use more medications, suffer worse symptoms and are less able to control their asthma than patients in a healthy weight range.

While these factors increase a person’s risk for developing the disease, there are additional factors, such as poverty and lack of health insurance, that contribute to more asthma symptoms, emergency room visits and hospitalizations. Learn more about ways to improve asthma by understanding the risks related to exposure to things in the environment that are known to make asthma worse and management steps.

Reviewed and approved by the American Lung Association Scientific and Medical Editorial Review Panel.

Page last updated: April 19, 2023

Asthma | Symptoms, complications, diagnosis and treatment

Asthma is a condition in which the airways narrow and swell and produce extra mucus. This can make breathing difficult and cause coughing and shortness of breath. Asthma cannot be cured, but its symptoms can be controlled. Because asthma often changes over time, it’s important that you work with your doctor to monitor your signs and symptoms and adjust your treatment as needed.

For some people, asthma is a minor irritant. For others, it can be a serious problem that interferes with daily activities and can lead to a life-threatening seizure.

Asthma symptoms vary from person to person. You may have rare asthma attacks, symptoms only at certain times, such as when exercising, or symptoms all the time.

Signs and symptoms of asthma include:

• Confused breathing
• Stiffness or pain in the chest
• Sleep problems due to shortness of breath, coughing or wheezing
• Whistling or hissing sound when exhaling
• Cough or shortness of breath aggravated by a respiratory virus such as a cold or influenza

Signs that your asthma may be getting worse include:

• Signs and symptoms of asthma that are more frequent and bothersome
• Increase in labored breathing (measured with a peak flow meter, a device used to test how well your lungs are working)
• Need to use the rapid-acting inhaler more often

For some people, asthma symptoms flare up in certain situations:

• Exercise-induced asthma which may worsen when the air is cold and dry
• Occupational asthma due to workplace irritants such as chemical fumes, gases or dust
• Allergic asthma caused by airborne substances such as pollen, mold spores, insect waste or skin particles

Asthma triggers

Exposure to various irritants and allergenic substances (allergens) can cause asthma. Asthma triggers differ from person to person and may include:

• Airborne substances such as pollen, dust mites, mold spores, pets or insect waste
• Respiratory infections such as the common cold
• Physical activity (exercise-induced asthma)
• Cold air
• Air pollutants and irritants such as smoke
• Certain medicines, including beta-blockers, aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), and naproxen (Aleve)
• Strong emotions and stress
• Sulfites and preservatives added to certain foods and drinks, including shrimp, dried fruit, processed potatoes, beer and wine
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease, a condition in which stomach acids back up into the throat

A number of factors are thought to increase the chances of developing asthma. These include:

• Having a blood relative (such as a parent or sibling) with asthma
• Having another allergic condition such as atopic dermatitis or allergic rhinitis
• Overweight
• Habitual state for smokers
• Exposure to secondhand smoke
• Exposure to exhaust gases or other types of pollution
• Exposure to occupational triggers such as chemicals used in agriculture, hairdressing and manufacturing

Complications of asthma include:

• Signs and symptoms that interfere with sleep, work, or recreational activities
• Permanent bronchial constriction (airway remodeling) that affects how well you can breathe
• Hospitalizations for severe asthma attacks
• Side effects from long-term use of certain drugs used to stabilize severe asthma

Proper treatment is essential to prevent both short-term and long-term complications from asthma.

Prevention

While there is no way to prevent asthma, you can work with your doctor to develop a step-by-step plan for living with your condition and preventing asthma from recurring.

Follow the asthma action plan. With your doctor and medical service, write a detailed plan for taking your medications and managing your asthma attacks. Be sure to follow your plan.

Asthma is an ongoing condition requiring regular monitoring and treatment. Taking control of your treatment can make you feel more confident about your life in general.

• Get flu and pneumonia vaccinations. Staying vaccinated can prevent influenza and pneumonia from triggering asthma.
• Identify and avoid asthma triggers. A range of outdoor allergens and irritants, from pollen and mold to cold air and air pollution, can trigger asthma attacks. Find out what causes your asthma to worsen and take steps to avoid those triggers.
• Watch your breath. You can learn to recognize the warning signs of an impending attack, such as a slight cough, wheezing, or shortness of breath. But because lung function may decrease before you notice any signs or symptoms, regularly measure and record your peak airflow with a home peak flow meter.
• Identify and treat attacks early. If you act quickly, you have less chance of a serious attack. You also won’t need as many medications to control your symptoms.

When your peak flow measurements decrease and alert you to an impending attack, take your medication as directed and immediately stop any activity that may have triggered the attack. If symptoms do not improve, seek medical attention as outlined in your action plan.

• Take your medicines as directed. Just because your asthma seems to be getting better, don’t change anything without talking to your doctor first.
• Note the increased use of the rapid-acting inhaler. If you rely on your fast-acting inhaler, such as albuterol, your asthma is not under control. Contact your doctor to adjust your treatment.

Bronchial asthma – symptoms, diagnosis, treatment – Aksis Medical Center (Zelenograd)

General information about asthma

Bronchial asthma is a common respiratory disease. It can be long or chronic. In the absence of proper treatment, the disease limits the patient in his physical activity. People with asthma have flare-ups that require urgent medical attention. In its absence, such exacerbations can be fatal.

It is worth noting that about 300 million people worldwide suffer from asthma. Experts suggest that this figure will only increase in the coming years, and this will also apply to developed countries. According to doctors, over the past 15 years, the number of patients with this pathology has doubled. The development of bronchial asthma is influenced by working conditions, household allergens, hereditary causes and other factors that are less common.

Asthma symptoms

“If you have similar symptoms, we recommend that you make an appointment with your doctor. You can also sign up by phone: +7 (499) 214-00-00

It is recommended to undergo a medical examination as often as possible, which will allow to detect bronchial asthma at the initial stage. In this case, the result of treatment will be more successful. You need to seek medical help when the first signs appear. A person should know how bronchial asthma begins, he should be alerted by the following symptoms:

• Shortness of breath or suffocation. The very first symptoms. Moreover, this condition occurs both during physical exertion and at complete rest. Often shortness of breath appears during the inhalation of air with impurities of allergens. Shortness of breath or suffocation occur suddenly and are similar to seizures.
• Cough. Happens with shortness of breath. At the same time, it is unproductive, only at the very end of the attack, a small amount of sputum may appear.
• Shallow breathing. An attack of bronchial asthma is often characterized by shallow breathing, the patient is not able to take a full breath and exhale.
• Wheezing. They are heard during an attack. In some cases, especially during the period of exacerbation, wheezing is heard even at a short distance from the patient.
• Orthopnea posture. This is a characteristic posture of a person with bronchial asthma. He occupies it at the reflex level – sits down, dangles his legs, firmly grabs his hands for any object in front. This pose helps you inhale and exhale more deeply.

Only a part of the symptoms appear at an early stage of the disease. Moreover, they disturb the patient for a short time and pass on their own. After this, there may be a long break, but without proper therapy, the symptoms progress, so the patient needs to seek medical help in a timely manner even with minimal symptoms.

With the development of bronchial asthma in the patient’s body, the following failures occur:

• the skin becomes cyanotic;
• breathing becomes difficult;
• shortness of breath appears;
• heartbeat quickens;
• headache and dizziness appear;
• there is a general weakness;
• reduced immunity;
• is concerned about heaviness in the chest area.

Types of bronchial asthma

Bronchial asthma can be classified according to several criteria.

Physicians distinguish the following forms:

• Allergic (atopic) – occurs when the negative impact of various types of allergens (often begins in adolescents).
• Infectious – the disease develops as a result of an infectious disease.
• Aspirin – occurs after the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
• Occupational – occurs due to prolonged negative effects of substances during work.
• Night – signs of the disease are recorded only at night.

It is also possible to distinguish types of asthma depending on the cause of its occurrence:

Asthma of mixed origin. The development of such a disease is explained by the presence of allergens, and other negative effects on a person.

Severity of bronchial asthma:

• Mild course. Symptoms occur less than once a day, sometimes once a week.
• Medium. Daily signs of illness. At night, symptoms appear once a week.
• Severe course. Constant signs that torment the patient at night.

Treatment of bronchial asthma

Let’s note right away that it is impossible to completely cure bronchial asthma today. But well-chosen therapy, which combines various techniques, will help achieve sustainable remission, improving the patient’s condition and quality of life. At the same time, the therapeutic approach also requires self-discipline from the patient himself – it is necessary to be patient at all stages of treatment.

Regular follow-up by a pulmonologist is important because the treatment strategy may change depending on the severity of the disease.

It is not possible to limit one use of medicines for bronchial asthma. They are effective, but the relief will only be temporary. Basic therapy is based on the impact on the causes of unpleasant symptoms. The first result from the use of medications will be noticeable only after 3 weeks of their regular use. To date, inhaled glucocorticoids are considered the safest and most effective. They are well tolerated by both adults and children, the drugs have a minimal list of side effects.

In addition, the specialist may prescribe non-drug treatments. Means of therapy can be the following (they will also be excellent means of prevention):

• light physical exercises;
• climate therapy;
• reflexology;
• breathing exercises and a slight load on the organs.

Clinical guidelines and treatment regimen may vary depending on the patient’s condition.

Benefits of contacting the Axis Medical Center

Modern equipment and experienced specialists make it possible to detect the disease in time and start its treatment.