3 imperatives to transform health care in America. You're invited to watch it live

Free

E-newsletter

Subscribe to Housecall

Our weekly general interest
e-newsletter keeps you up to date on a wide variety of health topics.

Sign up now

Symptoms

By Mayo Clinic staff

CLICK TO ENLARGE

Illustration of what happens during an asthma attack Asthma attack

Asthma symptoms range from minor to severe and vary from person to person. You may have infrequent asthma attacks, have symptoms only at certain times — such as when exercising — or have symptoms all the time.

Asthma signs and symptoms include:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Chest tightness or pain
  • Trouble sleeping caused by shortness of breath, coughing or wheezing
  • A whistling or wheezing sound when exhaling (wheezing is a common sign of asthma in children)
  • Coughing or wheezing attacks that are worsened by a respiratory virus, such as a cold or the flu

Signs that your asthma is probably worsening include:

  • Asthma signs and symptoms that are more frequent and bothersome
  • Increasing difficulty breathing (measurable with a peak flow meter, a device used to check how well your lungs are working)
  • The need to use a quick-relief inhaler more often

For some people, asthma symptoms flare up in certain situations:

  • Exercise-induced asthma, which may be worse when the air is cold and dry
  • Occupational asthma, triggered by workplace irritants such as chemical fumes, gases or dust
  • Allergy-induced asthma, triggered by particular allergens, such as pet dander, cockroaches or pollen

When to see a doctor

Seek emergency treatment
Severe asthma attacks can be life-threatening. Work with your doctor ahead of time to determine what to do when your signs and symptoms worsen — and when you need emergency treatment. Signs of an asthma emergency include:

  • Rapid worsening of shortness of breath or wheezing
  • No improvement even after using a quick-relief inhaler, such as albuterol
  • Shortness of breath when you are doing minimal physical activity

Contact your doctor

  • If you think you have asthma. If you have frequent coughing or wheezing that lasts more than a few days or any other signs or symptoms of asthma, see your doctor. Treating asthma early may prevent long-term lung damage and help keep the condition from worsening over time.
  • To monitor your asthma after diagnosis. If you know you have asthma, work with your doctor to keep it under control. Good long-term control helps you feel better on a daily basis and can prevent a life-threatening asthma attack.
  • If your asthma symptoms get worse. Contact your doctor right away if your medication doesn't seem to ease your symptoms or if you need to use your quick-relief inhaler more often. Don't try to solve the problem by taking more medication without consulting your doctor. Overusing asthma medication can cause side effects and may make your asthma worse.
  • To review your treatment. Asthma often changes over time. Meet with your doctor on a regular basis to discuss your symptoms and make any needed treatment adjustments.
Causes Definition
References
  1. What is asthma? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/asthma/. Accessed March 14, 2012.
  2. McPhee SJ, et al. Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment 2012. 51st ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2012. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2740. Accessed March 14, 2012.
  3. Parker MJ. Asthma. Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America. 2011;44:667.
  4. Asthma action plan. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/lung/asthma/asthma_actplan.htm. Accessed March 14, 2012.
  5. Longo DL, et al. Harrison's Online. 18th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2012. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=9127709. Accessed March 14, 2012.
  6. Asthma overview — What causes asthma? Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=8&cont=6. Accessed March 13, 2012.
  7. Bjerg A. A strong synergism of low birth weight and prenatal smoking on asthma in schoolchildren. Pediatrics. 2011;127:e905.
  8. Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2012: 5 Books in 1. Philadelphia, Pa. : Mosby Elsevier; 2011. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05611-3..00010-0--sc0310&isbn=978-0-323-05611-3&sid=1283797418&uniqId=324341161-6#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05611-3..00010-0--s6435. Accessed March 13, 2012.
  9. Asthma overview — Diagnosis. Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=8&cont=7. Accessed March 13, 2012.
  10. Zafirlukast. Micromedex Healthcare Series. http://www.micromedex.com. Accessed March 14, 2012.
  11. Asthma overview — Treatment. Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=8&cont=8. Accessed March 13, 2012.
  12. Hashimoto S, et al. Current treatment of severe asthma. Clinical and Experimental Allergy. In press. Accessed Mar. 14, 2012.
  13. Allergy overview — Treatment. Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=9&cont=81. Accessed March 13, 2012.
  14. Mason RJ, et al. Murray and Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-4710-0..00038-9--s0250&isbn=978-1-4160-4710-0&sid=1283802117&uniqId=324341161-7#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-4710-0..00038-9--s0325. Accessed March 14, 2012.
  15. Indoor air quality and allergies. Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=9&sub=18&cont=233. Accessed March 15, 2012.
  16. Bruton A, et al. The role of breathing training in asthma management. Current Opinion in Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2011;11:53.
  17. Alternative therapies. Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=8&sub=16&cont=40. March 14, 2012.
  18. Butterbur. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://naturaldatabase.therapeuticresearch.com/nd/Search.aspx?cs=MAYO&s=nd&pt=100&id=649. Accessed March 15, 2012.
  19. Indian frankincense. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://naturaldatabase.therapeuticresearch.com/nd/Search.aspx?cs=MAYO&s=nd&pt=100&id=63. Accessed March 15, 2012.
  20. Pycnogenol. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://naturaldatabase.therapeuticresearch.com/nd/Search.aspx?cs=MAYO&s=nd&pt=100&id=1019. Accessed March 15, 2012.
  21. Fish oil. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://naturaldatabase.therapeuticresearch.com/nd/Search.aspx?cs=MAYO&s=nd&pt=100&id=993. Accessed March 15, 2012.
  22. Li JT (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. March 22, 2012.
  23. Anderson CF (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. March 20, 2012.
DS00021 May 26, 2012

© 1998-2013 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

  • Reprints
  • Print

  • Share on:

  • Email

Advertisement


Text Size: smaller largerlarger