Do I have asthma? These are the symptoms
Untreated or poorly controlled asthma can significantly affect a person's quality of life. That's why it's so important to spot the signs early and start treatment straight away. Common signs of asthma include breathing difficulties or a persistent dry cough.
What are the symptoms of asthma?
Not everyone with asthma experiences the same symptoms, nor the same severity. If you notice any of the following symptoms, it's worth seeing your doctor.
- Shortness of breath during mild physical activity
- Whistling breathing
- Frequent coughing or throat clearing
- Dry cough, particularly at night or early in the morning
- Sensitivity of the airways to irritants like smoke or cold air, leading to coughing or breathlessness
- Often coupled with symptoms of other allergic or so-called atopic conditions such as hay fever, chronic rhinitis or neurodermatitis
Acute asthma attack
During an asthma attack, the following symptoms often occur:
- tightness in the chest
- coughing
- severe breathlessness and fear of suffocation (can occur at any time, also at night)
- wheezy or whistling breathing
- bluish lips and fingernails (cyanosis) in some cases
How to recognise asthma in children and babies
Asthma can easily be overlooked in children. This is partly because they are harder to examine, and partly because other illnesses with similar symptoms are common. If your child has frequent bronchitis and continues to have breathing difficulties afterwards, consult a paediatrician.
Symptoms in children
Asthma in children often first shows itself through:
- shortness of breath or sudden episodes of breathlessness.
- a whistling sound when exhaling.
- difficulty exhaling.
- persistent cough, especially at night or during physical activity.
- tightness or stabbing pains in the chest.
- frequent colds that last longer and are slow to clear up.
- the child appears generally weak or run-down.
Symptoms in toddlers and babies
Breathing difficulties in babies and toddlers aren't always easy to spot. Signs of acute breathlessness may include:
- flaring nostrils – the nostrils visibly move when the child breathes.
- use of accessory breathing muscles – noticeable when the child strongly pulls in the chest or belly between or below the ribs when breathing.
- reluctance to eat or drink.
What is asthma exactly?
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the respiratory tract. A rough distinction can be made between allergic and non-allergic asthma. Various factors influence the development and course of the disease. Temporary constriction of the bronchial tubes causes attacks of shortness of breath and coughing. It's important to find an effective self-treatment programme in consultation with your doctor.
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