What are the symptoms of asthma?

Woman using asthma inhaler at the gym — Photo Courtesy: Adobe Images

If you sometimes have trouble breathing, you might wonder if you have asthma. If so, you’re not alone. Asthma is one of the most common diseases in the United States. Nearly 26 million people have it—that’s 1 in 13 people. It affects people of all ages, but it usually starts in childhood.

Asthma is a chronic disease that affects the airways in the lungs. The airways are tubes that carry air in and out of your lungs. They are sensitive to substances, also known as triggers, and can become swollen (inflamed) when exposed to one. This leaves less room for air to travel through, making it hard to breathe.

Asthma triggers can be allergic or non-allergic. Allergens such as dust mites, pet dander, or pollen cause allergic asthma. Non-allergic asthma triggers include household chemicals, tobacco smoke, and outdoor air pollution.

Some people may experience exercise-induced asthma during physical activity. It's important to note that exercise doesn't cause asthma but acts as a trigger. It is also possible for someone to have exercise-induced asthma without experiencing asthma symptoms at other times.

Stress and strong emotions like anger or fear can also trigger asthma. Emotional responses such as laughing or crying can also trigger an attack. Sometimes when we get emotional, our breathing changes and becomes very fast. This can cause the airways to narrow, causing asthma symptoms like coughing or wheezing.

What are the symptoms of asthma?

Not every person with asthma will have the same symptoms the same way. You may not have all of the symptoms, or you may have different symptoms of different types. Asthma symptoms can also range from mild to severe. They may vary from one asthma attack to the next. Asthma attacks can start suddenly, or they may come on gradually.

Common symptoms of asthma include:

Chest tightness, pain, or pressure
Coughing, especially at night or early in the morning
Shortness of breath
Wheezing

There are also some uncommon symptoms of asthma you might not be aware of. These include:

Rapid breathing
Sighing
Fatigue and difficulty sleeping
Inability to exercise properly
Anxiety and trouble concentrating

Some people might have asthma symptoms that get worse at night. This is called nocturnal or nighttime asthma. About 75% of people with asthma are woken up by nighttime symptoms at least once a week. Forty percent of people have nocturnal symptoms every night.

How is asthma diagnosed?

Asthma can be a difficult disease to diagnose. It’s often diagnosed after other conditions have been ruled out. There isn’t one specific test that doctors use to diagnose asthma. Your doctor will evaluate your symptoms and take a complete medical history to work toward an asthma diagnosis. This will include any allergies, exposure to pollutants and smoke or secondhand smoke, and any family history of asthma.

Your doctor may also perform a breathing test to determine if you have asthma. The most common breathing test is spirometry. The test measures how much air you inhale, how much you exhale, and how quickly you exhale. Your doctor may also test you for allergies or do a blood test to check for cells responsible for inflammation.

FeNO testing can also help your doctor make an asthma diagnosis. FeNO stands for fractional exhaled nitric oxide. The test measures the amount of nitric oxide in your breath. When you exhale, your breath can show if your airways are inflamed.

What treatment options are there for asthma?

Treatments can improve your quality of life if you are diagnosed with asthma. Quick-relief medicines help prevent or relieve asthma symptoms during an attack. If you have mild asthma or exercise-induced asthma, quick-relief medicines might be the only treatment you need. If your doctor prescribes you a quick-relief inhaler, be sure to carry it with you at all times.

Your doctor may also prescribe daily medications to prevent asthma attacks and control symptoms. Corticosteroids, which can be taken as pills or inhaled, reduce inflammation in the body. Biologics are injected into a vein or below the skin and may be prescribed for severe asthma. Your doctor may also give you allergy shots to reduce your body’s response to allergens.

In addition to medication, knowing your triggers can help you manage your asthma. Talk to your doctor about your triggers and how to avoid or prepare for them. Staying physically active can also help you manage your asthma. It might sound counterintuitive, especially if you have exercise-induced asthma, but physical activity improves your lung capacity.

If you smoke, quitting can help reduce your symptoms. Smoking reduces your lung function and can increase your chances of having an attack. It can also increase your sensitivity to other environmental triggers.

Asthma doesn’t have to slow you down or stop you from enjoying your favorite activities. You can still live a full and healthy life with a proper diagnosis and the right treatment. And if you’re ever in doubt or have questions about your condition, talk to your doctor.