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Asthma symptoms can change from one asthma attack to another. You may feel fine for a time. But, even if you have mild symptoms, your airways are still inflamed.
Most people with asthma have one or more of these common asthma symptoms:
- Wheezing. A high-pitched, whistling sound that’s usually heard when you breathe out. It can occur when breathing in as well. It is a sign of airway narrowing.
- Coughing. A cough or hack that may not go away, and often occurs or is worse at night. It is an important way to clear your airways.
- Chest tightness. Feels like a rope being tightened around your chest.
- Shortness of breath. It feels like you can’t get enough air, or that you’re trying to breathe through a straw. Or worse, you can’t catch your breath at all. Breathing out is especially tough.
Talk with your doctor about daily medicines that may help you control your asthma symptoms, if you have:
- Daytime asthma symptoms more than twice a week
- Asthma symptoms that wake you at night more than twice a month
Most asthma attacks can be prevented by:
Early signs of an asthma attack
Learn to spot when the symptoms of an attack are coming. This can help you prevent an asthma attack, or keep one from getting worse. Early warning signs include:
- Lower peak flow readings than your personal best readings. Peak flow meter readings can help you see changes in how well you breathe, sometimes even before the asthma symptoms occur. This can help you prevent a more serious asthma attack.
- Coughing a lot, especially at night
- Losing your breath easily or being short of breath
- Feeling very tired or weak during exercise
- Wheezing or coughing after exercise
- Cold or allergy symptoms (sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, cough, sore throat, headache)
- Trouble sleeping due to breathing problems
If you have any early warning signs, follow your Asthma Action Plan (PDF Format). Take the medicine your doctor prescribed.
The asthma attack
You have an asthma attack when your symptoms are severe or come on very fast.
Contact your doctor right away. He or she may suggest treating your symptoms with quick-relief medicine right away. Stay calm. Breathe slowly and deeply. Get help if you need it.
In case of emergency
Signs that you should get medical help right away include:
- Trouble speaking
- Lips or fingernails turn gray or blue
- Very fast heart rate
- Your quick-relief medicine doesn’t help
- Peak flow reading is in the red zone (less than 50% of your personal best)
If you have questions about when to get emergency treatment, talk with your doctor.
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