Asthma Symptoms

Quick Glance: Common Asthma Symptoms

The most common symptoms of asthma include:

• Wheezing or a whistling sound while breathing

• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

• Chest tightness or pressure

• Persistent or recurring cough

• Cough that is worse at night or in the early morning

• Breathing difficulties during or after exercise

• Symptoms that worsen after exposure to smoke, dust, pollen, cold air or other triggers

• Symptoms that worsen during or after respiratory infections

Asthma symptoms can vary over time and in intensity. Some people may experience only one or two symptoms, while others may have several symptoms during a flare-up.

Symptoms of Asthma That Should Not Be Ignored

Certain symptoms may indicate that asthma is not well controlled or that airflow through the airways is becoming more restricted. These symptoms should be medically assessed, particularly when they are new, persistent, becoming more frequent or affecting daily activities.

The table below explains symptoms that may indicate worsening asthma control and why they may require medical evaluation:

Why Do Asthma Symptoms Occur?

Asthma symptoms occur when the airways in the lungs become inflamed and more sensitive to certain triggers. These triggers can include allergens, smoke, air pollution, cold air, exercise and respiratory infections. When a trigger affects a person with asthma, the muscles around the airways can tighten, while swelling of the airway lining and increased mucus production can further narrow the airways.

This narrowing makes it harder for air to move through the lungs, resulting in symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, chest tightness and shortness of breath. The degree of airway narrowing and inflammation can change over time. This is why asthma symptoms may come and go or vary in severity.

In allergic asthma, immunoglobulin E (IgE) can contribute to the immune response to allergens. This response can promote inflammation in the airways and trigger symptoms in people who are sensitive to particular allergens. However, not all asthma is caused by an allergic response.

Symptoms of Asthma That Require Immediate Medical Attention

A severe asthma flare-up can cause significant narrowing of the airways and make breathing extremely difficult. Immediate medical attention is needed when symptoms are severe, rapidly worsening or do not improve as expected after using prescribed reliever treatment according to the person's asthma action plan.

The emergency warning signs include:

• Severe difficulty breathing

• Inability to speak normally because of breathlessness

• Rapidly worsening breathing symptoms

• Symptoms that do not improve after using the prescribed reliever according to the asthma action plan

• Blue or grey lips or skin

• Severe drowsiness, confusion or reduced responsiveness

• Collapse or loss of consciousness

Symptoms of Asthma Based on Type

The table below explains the common symptom patterns associated with different types of asthma:

Symptoms of Asthma in Children

Asthma can occur during childhood and may cause wheezing, recurring cough, shortness of breath and chest tightness. Younger children may find it difficult to describe chest tightness or breathing difficulty, so parents and carers may instead notice changes in breathing, sleep or physical activity.

Common symptoms and signs of asthma in children include:

• Recurring cough, particularly at night or in the early morning

• Wheezing or noisy breathing

• Shortness of breath during play or physical activity

• Coughing or breathing difficulties during or after exercise

• Avoiding physical activities because of breathing difficulties

• Difficulty keeping up with other children during physical activity

• Repeated episodes of breathing difficulty

Asthma symptoms in children can vary over time. Recurrent or unexplained breathing symptoms should be assessed by a healthcare professional.

Can You Have Asthma Without Symptoms?

Yes, people with asthma can have periods when they have few or no noticeable symptoms. Asthma symptoms can vary over time and may appear only after exercise, exposure to allergens or irritants, cold weather or respiratory infections.

Being symptom-free at a particular time does not rule out asthma. A healthcare professional may assess the pattern of symptoms and use lung function tests when asthma is suspected.

When Can Asthma Symptoms Become Life-Threatening?

Asthma symptoms can become life-threatening during a severe asthma flare-up when airflow through the airways becomes severely restricted. The table below explains the main situations in which severe asthma can become dangerous and how they affect breathing:

How are Asthma Symptoms Diagnosed?

Asthma diagnosis involves assessing the pattern and variability of respiratory symptoms and looking for evidence of variable airflow through the lungs. Symptoms alone are not enough to confirm asthma, so lung function testing may be needed.

The table below explains the main tests that may be used to assess asthma symptoms and support diagnosis:

No single test should be used in isolation to diagnose asthma. A healthcare professional considers the symptoms, their variation over time and the results of appropriate lung function tests to confirm asthma diagnosis.