Common Asthma Symptoms

Introduction

Asthma is a long-term medical condition that affects your airways. Technically speaking, asthma affects your respiratory tract, which is another name for the tubes that transport air to and from your lungs. Asthma makes these tubes more sensitive, making them prone to inflammation and tightness. Around 5.4 million people in the UK are receiving treatment for asthma. The condition is more common in women than men, and most people are diagnosed as children, although lots of people receive an asthma diagnosis later in life. This is called late-onset asthma, and it's also more common in women. Today, we'll be focusing specifically on asthma symptoms and how to spot them.

Asthma Symptoms

The symptoms of asthma can vary, and not everyone experiences all of them at the same time. They can also range from mild to more serious. The four most common symptoms are coughing, a tight chest, breathlessness, and wheezing. Coughs may keep coming back and can be accompanied by a wheezing sound, and you may find your coughing is worse at night or early in the morning. A tight chest is often described as feeling like a heavy weight sitting on the chest, similar to a dull ache or a sharp stabbing sensation, and it often makes it difficult to take a deep breath. Breathlessness means you may get short of breath rather easily, even after light or moderate activity, and you may have to concentrate to regulate your breathing. Wheezing is a whistling sound that comes from your airways, commonly when breathing out, and this symptom can come and go, with the severity also changing over time.

Certain triggers can often set off asthma symptoms, and these can be split into two categories. Allergic asthma is when your symptoms are triggered by an allergic reaction to allergens such as pollen, pets, or dust, while non-allergic asthma is when your symptoms are caused by an irritant you breathe in, such as cigarette smoke or exhaust fumes. Other potential triggers include exercising, cold weather, and the flu. The condition is not curable, so if you develop asthma as an adult, it's likely you'll have the condition for the rest of your life. However, with the correct treatment, there's a good chance you'll be able to live a normal, active life without experiencing asthma symptoms.

Asthma Attacks

Sometimes your asthma symptoms can become more severe for a short period of time. This is known as an asthma attack and can happen suddenly or build gradually over a few days. Asthma attacks are very serious and can be fatal; three people die from asthma attacks in the UK every day. Therefore, it is vital to know how to spot an asthma attack and what to do if you have one. If you have a loved one with asthma, you should learn how to respond in the event they have an attack. Signs to look out for include a very tight chest, coughing and/or wheezing a lot, breathlessness and finding it difficult to walk or talk, a rapid heartbeat and faster breathing, blue lips or fingers, feeling drowsy or dizzy, and your blue reliever not helping, or needing to use it more than every four hours.

Asthma UK has put together the following guide on what to do during an attack:

Sit up straight and try to remain calm. Take one puff of your reliever inhaler (usually blue) every 30 to 60 seconds, up to 10 puffs. If you feel worse at any point, or you don't feel better after 10 puffs, call 999 for an ambulance. Repeat the second step after 15 minutes whilst you're waiting for an ambulance to arrive.

Stay Safe with a Lifeline Alarm

If you have asthma, it might be worth considering a Careline365 alarm. With an alarm system in place, you'll be able to call for help in an emergency with just the touch of a button. This could make a crucial difference in the event of an asthma attack. A Careline365 alarm can also offer you and your loved ones much-needed peace of mind. To find out more about our personal alarm service, please give our friendly team a call on 0800 101 3333. Alternatively, you can get a personalised alarm plan here on our site.