Symptoms of Asthma

The symptoms of asthma can range from mild to severe. Most people will only experience occasional symptoms, although a few people will have problems most of the time.

The main symptoms of asthma are:

Wheezing (a whistling sound when you breathe)
Shortness of Breath
A tight chest – which may feel like a band is tightening around it
Coughing

These symptoms are often worse at night and early in the morning, particularly if the condition is not well controlled. They may also develop or become worse in response to a certain trigger, such as exercise or exposure to an allergen. Read More About: Causes of Asthma for more information about potential triggers.

Speak to your doctor if you think you or your child may have asthma. You should also talk to your doctor or asthma nurse if you have been diagnosed with asthma and you are finding it difficult to control the symptoms.

Asthma attacks

When asthma symptoms get significantly worse, it is known as an asthma attack or “acute asthma exacerbation”.

Asthma attacks often develop slowly, sometimes taking a couple of days or more to become serious, although some people with asthma are prone to sudden, unexpected severe attacks. It is important to recognise attacks early and take appropriate action.

During an asthma attack, the symptoms described above may get worse and – if you’re already on treatment – your inhaler medication may not work as well as it normally does.

You might be monitoring your asthma using a device called a Peak Flow Meter, and there may be a drop in your peak expiratory flow. Read More About: Diagnosing Asthma

If you think you or your child are having an asthma attack, don’t ignore it. Contact your doctor or asthma clinic as soon as possible, or consult and use your asthma action plan if you have one.

Signs of a particularly severe asthma attack can include:

Your reliever inhaler (which is usually blue) is not helping symptoms as much as usual, or at all
Wheezing, coughing and chest tightness becoming severe and constant
Being too breathless to eat, speak or sleep
Breathing faster
A rapid heartbeat
Feeling drowsy, exhausted or dizzy
Your lips or fingers turning blue (cyanosis)

Source: NHS UK
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Asthma/Pages/Symptoms.aspx