health

Following are the most common symptoms of asthma. A person may
have all, some, or just one of these symptoms:

• Shortness of breath
  
• Coughing, particularly if it lasts longer than a week
• Wheezing (whistling or hissing sounds made primarily when
  breathing out)
  
• A feeling of tightness or discomfort in the chest

The degree to which asthma interferes with a person’s daily life varies
significantly. Some people have ongoing problems. The frequency of their
attacks may range from several times per week to almost constantly. Their
ability to take part in physical activities may be limited until, with treatment,
they are able to get their asthma under control. Those with milder
problems are usually able to do whatever they want to do, so long as they
reduce their environmental triggers, take their medicine as directed, and
follow any other advice from their doctors.

Childhood asthma Babies often wheeze when they have a cold or other
infection of the airways, blockage of the airways, or other problems. This
symptom may go away on its own with no ill effects. However, if the problem
is severe, lasts a long time, or comes back, treatment may be needed. In
older children, normal breathing should be quiet. Wheezing may be a sign
of asthma, but it can also signal an infection, lung disease, heartburn, heart
disease, a blood vessel blocking the airways, or even a piece of food or other
object (such as part of a toy) lodged in the airway. In addition to noisy breathing,
asthma in children can cause rapid breathing and frequent coughing
spells. Parents may also notice that the child tires quickly during active play.

Nighttime asthma Asthma tends to get worse at night. Nocturnal
(or nighttime) asthma occurs while a person is sleeping. For some people,
nocturnal asthma is one of many symptoms; other people seem to have
coughing or wheezing only at night.

Exercise-related asthma Many people with asthma have trouble
with noisy breathing during or after exercise, a condition known as
exercise-induced asthma. Other symptoms include coughing, a rapid
heartbeat, and a feeling of tightness in the chest five to ten minutes after
exercise. For some people, exercise is the only asthma trigger. That means
they only have asthma symptoms after exercise-like activities and do not
have symptoms at any other time. Cold or dry air, high pollen counts,
air pollution, a stuffed-up nose, and an infection of the airways are all
factors that tend to make the problem worse. Types of exercise that may
lead to wheezing include running, using a treadmill, and playing basketball—
in short, exercises that are aerobic (designed to increase oxygen
consumption).

Job-related asthma Occupational asthma is caused by breathing in
fumes, gases, or dust while on the job. Asthma can start for the first time
in a worker who was previously healthy, or it can get worse in a worker
who already had the condition. Symptoms include wheezing, chest tightness,
and coughing. Other symptoms that may go along with the asthma
include a runny or stuffed-up nose and red, sore, itchy eyes. The asthma
may last for a long time, even after the worker is no longer around the
substance that caused it.

Severe attacks Status asthmaticus (STA-tus az-MAT-i-kus) is a
severe asthma attack that does not get better when individuals take their
medicine as usual. This kind of attack is an emergency that must be
treated right away in a hospital or doctor’s office, where other medicines
may be used.