Asthma is a condition wherein a person experiences difficulty to breathe due to the inflammation of the airways of the lungs. It’s a common disease that is long-term.

Other symptoms of asthma include wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. Depending on the severity of the condition, which varies from one person to the other, asthma symptoms can show up a few times a day or a few times a week.

Some patients may experience symptoms randomly and frequently while others may experience it only while exercising, expressing extreme emotions, experiencing shock, etc.

Early Warning Signs and Symptoms of Asthma
Make sure to remember that not everyone with asthma experiences these symptoms in the same way.

Sometimes symptoms may not show up for a long period of time and suddenly make an appearance later, while at other times, patients may experience these symptoms every day.

Here are some symptoms and signs of asthma:

General Symptoms
These symptoms occur due to the narrowed airways that are swollen and filled with mucus. Some of these symptoms are:

  • Coughing at night
  • Wheezing
  • Breathlessness
  • Tightness, pain, and pressure in your chest

Early warning signs
Early signs show up right before an attack or when the condition is worsening. By recognizing these symptoms, an attack can be prevented or a person can be prepared for one. Some of these symptoms include:

  • Frequent coughing, especially during night time
  • Shortness of breath and breathlessness occurring easily
  • Severe fatigue after exercising
  • Wheezing and coughing post working out
  • Expiratory flow is reduced or having changes in its peak
  • Symptoms of a cold, allergies, upper respiratory infection, cough, sneezing, congestion, and sore throat
  • Headache
  • Trouble sleeping.

Severe symptoms and signs
When asthma affects a person’s ability to perform regular tasks, the condition is advanced and severe. These episodes could be life-threatening and may require immediate medical attention. Here are some symptoms that indicate the worsening of the condition.

  • Severe wheezing (during both inhalation and exhalation)
  • Persistent, uncontrollable, and frequent coughing.
  • Rapid breathing
  • Inability to breathe
  • Chest pain
  • Pressure in your chest
  • Anxiety attacks
  • Panic attacks
  • Difficulty in speech
  • Inability to perform a full cycle of breathing.
  • Pale and sweaty face
  • Blue fingernails and lips

Triggers of Asthma
The following things can trigger asthma attacks in patients. It may vary from one person to another.

  • Airborne substances such as dust mites, pet dander, mold spores, pollen, etc.
  • Respiratory infections
  • Exercises that cause you to increase your pace of breathing
  • Cold and dry air
  • Air pollutants
  • Irritants present in the air
  • Certain medicines like aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen
  • Stress and strong emotions
  • Chemical irritants, especially those with a strong fragrance
  • Sulfites and preservatives that are added to food and beverages.
  • Gastroesophageal reflux disease can cause your stomach acids to flow back to your throat and trigger an asthma attack.

It isn’t clear what the actual cause of asthma is but current sources suggest that it can be due to a combination of environmental and genetic factors. Although, as of today, it is impossible to cure asthma, the symptoms can be controlled to a good extent, so much so that it can be regarded as a minor inconvenience in your day.