Asthma

Asthma attacks happen when the airways in the lungs narrow and swell up. Asthma symptoms can include wheezing or noisy breathing, cough, a tight feeling in the chest and shortness of breath. For some people, asthma is a minor issue. For others, it can be a major problem that interferes with daily activities and may lead to a life-threatening asthma attack.

You can help prevent your symptoms by staying away from things that cause your symptoms or make them worse. Doctors call these “triggers”. Some common triggers include dust, mold, animal dander, pollen and plants, cigarette smoke or stress. Because asthma often changes over time, it’s important that you work with your doctor to track your signs and symptoms and change treatment as needed.

Symptoms

• 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

For some people, asthma signs and symptoms flare up (sudden outburst of symptoms) in certain situations:

• Exercise-induced asthma: Triggered by physical activity. It may worsen when the air is cold and dry.
• Occupational asthma: triggered by workplace irritants such as chemical fumes, gas or dust
• Allergy-induced asthma: triggered by airborne substances such as pollen, mold spores, cockroach waste or particles of skin and dried pet saliva.

When to see your doctor

Severe asthma attacks can be life-threatening. See your doctor 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