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How To Identify Common Asthma Symptoms

Asthma is one of the quickest growing health issues, both in the United States and around the world. From 2002 to 2004, the occurence of asthma rose by more than 4%. And that is only the diagnosed cases - many people don't realize they are suffering from asthma.

These people who do not realize they have asthma - known as "hidden asthma" - are more likely to deal with respiratory sickness and get pneumonia, chronic bronchitis and severe colds.

Plus, they may suffer from poor sleep (as one of the common symptoms of asthma is nighttime restlessness and coughing), general tiredness and a depressed immune system.

Knowing the symptoms will help you determine if you may be dealing with asthma but you should always consult with your doctor to get a proper medical diagnosis. A doctor can recommend the proper testing, such as testing lung capacity with a peak flow meter, as well as providing a treatment plan that will reduce or eliminate asthma symptoms through medications or natural remedies.

Common asthma symptoms include:

Wheezing

Wheezing is a sign of an asthma attack but is not always present, especially in mild cases. Wheezing at the end of exhaling is one of the symptoms of milder cases while if it happens throughout the exhale it may be a sign of a more severe case.

Wheezing while both inhaling and exhaling is a sign of an acute asthma attack. If medication doesn't help the symptoms within 5 to 10 minutes, you should seek medical attention.

Coughing

Nighttime coughing, particularly if there is no other sickness that could be contributing, is one of the most common symptoms of childhood asthma. The coughing can sound rattly but is very rarely productive, due to the fact that the cough is triggered by irritated airways, not the need to clear the throat.

Coughing is the asthma symptom that is most likely to appear alone. A doctor can diagnose it using specialized tests.

Shortness of Breath

Running short of breath after exertion or exercise may be symptomatic of asthma. Shortness of breath after exercise does not always indicate asthma, however, and if it is suspected, a doctor should be consulted.

A study at the University of Iowa showed that over 60% of the children who were thought to have exercise-induced asthma were actually completely normal. They simply thought they should be able to do more without getting short of breath.