Asthma, also called bronchial asthma, is a common condition in which an individual’s airways (or bronchial tubes) become inflamed, narrow and swelled up. In this chronic disease, it becomes difficult for a person to breathe as the trachea produces extra mucus.

Let’s know about the early symptoms observed in an asthmatic patient. Also find out here what happens during an asthma attack, what are the unusual asthma symptoms and what are the asthma symptoms seen in children.

Early Symptoms Of Asthma

These early warning signs and symptoms of asthma are the changes that occur just before or at the onset of asthma attack. These aren’t severe enough to prevent you from carrying out daily activities. Identifying these signs can help in stopping asthma attack or prevent aggravation of problem.

• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing or coughing post exercise
• Tiredness or weakness during exercise
• Continuous coughing especially at night
• Problem in sleeping
• Decrease or change in lung function
• Irritability or moodiness

Symptoms Of An Asthma Attack

In the event of an asthma attack, these are the symptoms observed:

• Tightened bands of muscles around the airways
• Swells up or gets inflamed along the airways lining
• More and thicker mucus production
• Severe wheezing during inhale & exhale process
• Chronic coughing
• Chest pain or pressure
• Rapid breathing
• Pale, sweaty face
• Anxiety or panic attack
• Trouble talking
• Blue lips or fingertips
• Tightened chest and neck muscles

Asthma Symptoms In Children

While asthma symptoms can start at any age, most of the children experience their first symptoms by age 5. All children with asthma don’t wheeze. Persistent coughing may be the only obvious asthma symptom. A child’s asthma may go unidentified if the cough is due to sporadic bronchitis.

Unusual Symptoms Of Asthma

Every asthma patient doesn’t necessarily experiences the usual symptoms like coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. Some individuals have unusual symptoms that don’t seem to be related to asthma.

• Sighing
• Fatigue
• Difficulty in exercising properly (exercise-induced asthma)
• Trouble sleeping
• Anxiety
• Difficulty in concentrating
• Persistent cough without wheezing

What Triggers These Asthma Symptoms?

Genetic and environmental factors are usually the causes of asthma. And in some cases, a virus or bacterial infection is an asthma trigger. Citing an example, you might have a cold virus that could trigger asthma symptoms. Asthma may also be triggered by bacterial sinus infection. It’s very common to find asthmatic patients who have sinusitis.