10 Symptoms Of Asthma

Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease that usually starts during childhood. The common symptoms of asthma are recurring wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath and coughing. Usually the symptoms will get worsen during nights or early mornings. Early diagnosis and treatment is very important to improve the condition.

The symptoms of asthma can be divided into three types. Early warning signs, symptoms of worsening asthma and severe symptoms. Mild symptoms will not force you to skip any of your daily activities, but severe symptoms will demand a significant change in your lifestyle.

What Triggers Asthma?

The symptoms of asthma are dependent on the person and many other factors. Generally, the symptoms are easily manageable with proper medication and lifestyle changes. There are extreme conditions where asthma requires emergency care and can be fatal.

In asthmatic condition, the airways will be inflamed. This will cause the airways to get swollen, resulting in narrowing of the space. The cells in the airways produce a whole lot of mucus than usual. All these together result in a decreased air flow into the lungs. These chain of reaction can cause all the common symptoms of asthma. A few of them are mentioned below.

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Coughing

Coughing

This is one of the most common symptoms of asthma. Coughing increases greatly in the night and early mornings. There can also be extensive coughing during any form of exercise.

Shortness Of Breath

Shortness Of Breath

Shortness of breath is usually triggered when exposed to any allergen. The type of allergens can vary from person to person. This includes ragweed, pollen, pet hair, dust mites, irritants in the air and extreme weather conditions.

Respiratory Illness

Respiratory Illness

If you are susceptible to asthma, you should be extra careful when you get any respiratory illness. This can also irritate the airway, causing difficulty to breathe.

Wheezing

Wheezing

One of the main symptoms of asthma is wheezing. Wheezing is referred as a whistling or a squeaky sound in the chest when you are breathing. This will be most prominent when you are exhaling.

Abnormal Sleeping Patterns

Abnormal Sleeping Patterns

As the symptoms of asthma are most shown during the night time, you are sure to face unhealthy sleeping patterns. Tightness of the chest, coughing and shortness of breath can be the reasons for sleeplessness.

Chest Tightness

Chest Tightness

These symptoms are related to the pain and the pressure on the chest. The tightness of the chest will be very difficult to manage as it will cause difficulty in breathing properly.

Difficulty To Talk

Difficulty To Talk

This is generally one of the most important symptoms of worsening asthma. You may experience this along with coughing, wheezing or even after doing exercise or strenuous works.

Mood Swings

Mood Swings

You are sure to be grouchy or moody most of the time. This is one of the early warning signs of asthma. All the difficulties that you are facing during asthmatic attacks will haunt your mood.

Lung Function

Lung Function

The overall functioning of the lungs will not be satisfactory if you are an asthmatic patient. There are tests like the peak flow meter that is used to understand the lung function.

Signs Of Cold

Signs Of Cold

Sneezing, running nose, nasal congestion, sore throat and headaches can also be seen in asthmatic patients. This is also one among the early warning signs of asthma.

Understand the common symptoms of asthma to avoid serious asthmatic attack episodes by keeping the attacks under control.

Story first published: Tuesday, May 19, 2015, 16:13 [IST]
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