Asthma Warning Sign

By in Pulmonology, Respiratory & Sleep Medicine

Nov 7, 2019

Asthma is a condition that makes your airways narrow and inflamed and produces extra sticky secretion inside the bronchial tubes. Some of the common symptoms of Asthma includes: coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. These symptoms vary from person to person and range from mild to severe.

In this article, we discuss the Asthma warning signs and symptoms.

What is an asthma attack?

An asthma attack occurs when asthma symptoms get worse, people may experience attacks when their airways become narrow because of swelling and presence of excessive mucus.

Asthma attacks vary in severity, but they may cause:

• Rapid breathing
• Anxiety & panic
• Pale skin
• Difficulty talking
• Symptoms that do not go away after using an inhaler
• Low readings on a peak flow meter, which measures lung function

Severe asthma attacks require urgent medical because the breathing difficulties caused by attack can become life-threatening if not treated on time. 

Here are some common asthma warning signs and symptoms that one should look for:

Asthma Warning Signs	Asthma Symptoms
Headache	Tightness in chest
Stuffy & running nose	Chest congestion
Sore throat	Coughing at night or while laughing
Coughing and wheezing after exercise	Shortness of breath
Difficulty in sleeping	Wheezing or whistling sound while exhaling
Tiredness and weakness after physical activity.	Sleep problems resulting from continuous coughing

There are specific situations, or substances that can trigger asthma symptoms, these may include:

• Exercise
  • Known as exercise-induced asthma or bronchospasm, this condition can cause wheezing and breathing difficulties during or after periods of heavy physical activity.
• Workplace irritants
  • People with work-related asthma may only have symptoms while working with lung irritants, such as chemicals, gases or dust.
• Allergies
  • Common allergens may account for at least 30 percent of adult asthma cases which includes dust mites, pet dander, pollen etc
• Infections
  • Viral or bacterial infections, such as colds or sinusitis, can trigger asthma attacks. This can be especially problematic in children and older adults.

Also, people with asthma have a greater risk of flu related complications, such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia

People who believe that they might be displaying asthma symptoms should see a doctor for an assessment because asthma can be managed by treatment and can promise improved quality of life. Without treatment, severe asthma can be life-threatening, particularly among old people and children.