Asthma is a chronic lung condition. It causes symptoms like shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing. Asthma is caused by airway inflammation that makes it harder to breathe. When they’re severe, asthma symptoms can be life-threatening. Learning to spot signs of an asthma attack can help you or your loved one with asthma treat asthma as soon as possible and stay healthy and safe.

Asthma symptoms aren’t limited only to breathing problems. Keep reading to learn about potential signs and symptoms of asthma.

Respiratory Symptoms of Asthma

Respiratory (breathing) symptoms of asthma can range from mild to severe. They may be persistent or come and go. Some symptoms can be managed with asthma medications at home, while others may require emergency medical attention.

For many people, asthma symptoms can be controlled with long-term medications, such as inhaled corticosteroids. Quick-acting medications can provide immediate relief during an asthma attack (also known as a flare).

Asthma attacks can have many triggers, including:

• Infections such as the flu or common cold, along with other health conditions
• Extreme temperatures
• Allergens like pet dander and dust mites
• Irritants like cigarette smoke or air pollution

Shortness of Breath

Shortness of breath is a common symptom of most types of asthma, including allergic asthma and exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (exercise-induced asthma). Shortness of breath feels like you’re unable to breathe enough air.

Exercise-induced asthma tends to become more common as children get older. Kids over age 7 are more likely to have trouble breathing during exercise than younger children. Shortness of breath with exercise is also a common symptom of asthma in teens. Adults are more likely to have shortness of breath if they live a sedentary lifestyle, have a history of smoking, or have other health conditions such as obesity, heart disease, and anxiety.

Wheeze

Wheezing is a whistling sound when breathing. Wheezing happens when the bronchial tubes (tubes that carry air to the lungs) become narrow. Mild wheezing occurs when a person exhales. During a more serious asthma attack, wheezing can occur when a person inhales.

Wheezing is most common in infancy and young children. It’s often triggered by a viral infection that causes inflammation of the respiratory system.

Cough

Asthma can cause chronic coughing, sometimes with mucus and sometimes dry (no mucus). Dry coughing is an especially common symptom in babies and young kids with asthma. This age group is also prone to a “barky” cough, known as croup. Kids who get croup frequently may have underlying asthma.

Asthma-related coughing often occurs at night. It can also be triggered by physical activity, allergens, or irritants like smoke, dust, or chemicals in cleaning products.

Coughing is common in many types of asthma. It can also be the only asthma symptom that someone has. If this happens, it’s known as cough-variant asthma.

Chest Pain or Tightness

Asthma often leads to chest pain that can range from a dull ache to a sharp or stabbing pain. Some describe it as a band tightening around the chest.

Chest tightness can make it difficult to take a full breath. It can be an early sign of an asthma episode. Chest tightness can be worse when exposed to cold air or when exercising. Sometimes, children experiencing chest tightness will complain of a stomachache.

Intercostal Retractions

The intercostal muscles are muscles between the ribs. These muscles allow the rib cage to expand and contract. Intercostal muscles are important for breathing. Intercostal retractions occur when the intercostal muscles pull inward. Retractions may occur if the windpipe or airways in the lungs are blocked.

Intercostal retractions mean the person is having a hard time breathing. If you experience these or see them in a loved one, it’s an emergency that requires immediate medical attention.

Other Symptoms of Asthma

Sometimes asthma symptoms go beyond breathing problems. They can impact someone’s willingness to exercise as well as their quality of life and mental health.

Trouble Sleeping and Daytime Fatigue

Asthma symptoms can make it harder to get a good night’s sleep. Coughing and trouble breathing may keep you awake, leading to an unhealthy cycle of restless nights and daytime tiredness.

Fatigue is prevalent in people with asthma. In one study of adults with asthma, 62.6 percent reported experiencing severe fatigue. Sixty percent of the participants in the study had uncontrolled asthma. Fatigue was found to have a negative effect on quality of life.

Sweating

Sweating is common with asthma, especially during an asthma attack. Trouble breathing can make you feel panicked and stressed, causing you to sweat.

Rapid Pulse

Asthma is also linked to atrial fibrillation, a heart condition that causes irregular and rapid heart rate. A large, 13-year study of adults with asthma found that those with persistent asthma were at greater risk of developing atrial fibrillation.

Mood Disorders

Mood disorders like anxiety and depression are common in people with asthma. A study of more than 65,000 children and young adults with asthma found nearly a quarter were diagnosed with anxiety, depression, or both. This group was also at higher risk of emergency room visits.

Asthma attacks can be scary and unpredictable. If you’ve had one before, you may feel anxious about getting another one. Anxiety also affects your breathing, making asthma symptoms more likely. Children and adults with asthma may become depressed or isolated if they’re unable to participate fully in certain activities because their asthma is acting up.

Depression is also a potential and serious side effect of certain asthma medications. Talk to your healthcare provider right away if you or your child with asthma is feeling depressed.

How Do You Know if You’re Having an Asthma Attack?

Asthma attacks can be mild, moderate, or severe. Mild attacks can often be managed at home, but severe asthma attacks can be life-threatening and may require emergency intervention. It’s crucial to develop an asthma action plan with your doctor or your child’s doctor to be prepared in the event of a serious flare-up.

Signs of a severe asthma attack may include:

• Chest pain
• Coughing that doesn’t stop
• Fingernails, gums, or lips that turn blue or white
• Panic attack (rapid heartbeat, sweating, anxiety)
• Trouble talking, walking, or swallowing

An asthma attack may consist of your usual asthma symptoms, but more severe. Breathing can become very restricted, as if you’re breathing through a straw. This can lead to fainting. Sometimes asthma attacks happen all of a sudden (as with an allergic reaction), or they can develop over the course of several days (like with a worsening cold).

Signs that it may be time to head to the emergency room include seeing your child’s ribs or neck muscles strain with each breath, or their nostrils opening wide when breathing. If you’ve tried using quick-relief medications (like albuterol) at home without much success, you may need to seek medical attention. Don’t hesitate to call your healthcare provider if you’re worried about worsening asthma symptoms.

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