Illinois Allergist helps patients recognize the signs and symptoms of asthma

For asthma sufferer, signs and symptoms begin to appear when the airway becomes narrowed, swollen, or fills up with mucous. Asthma presents itself differently in everyone who suffers from it. There may be times when you have all of the symptoms of asthma, and other times when you only have a few. Patients can also experience a varying of symptoms between episodes.

Many patients with asthma have long periods that are symptom-free. For others, symptoms persist every day. There are patients who only have symptoms during certain activities such as exercise or even others who only experience them when they have an infection or contact allergens.

Some of the most common symptoms of asthma are coughing, wheezing, tightening in the chest, and shortness of breath. For everyone with the lifelong condition, it is important to recognize the various signs and symptoms, know how to manage them, and when it is vital to seek prompt medical attention.

Early warning signs are the changes that occur right before an episode, often before the symptoms show up. Most of the time early warning signs do not affect day-to-day activities, but it is still important to recognize them to help prevent a potential attack.

Early warning signs may include persistent cough at night, feeling tired or week, difficulty sleeping, a change in mood, wheezing, or signs of a cold or allergies. Patients experiencing these early warning signs should take their medication as recommended in their asthma action plan.

If early warning signs and symptoms go unnoticed or untreated, the asthma episode may escalate. Worsening symptoms include tightness in the chest, shortness of breath, and poor response to bronchodilators.

If asthma symptoms become severe, they restrict the ability to function and can potentially be life threatening. Patients experiencing any of these symptoms should seek immediate medical attention:

• Cough that will not go away
• Rapid breathing
• Overcoming feelings of anxiety or panic
• Chest pain/pressure
• Tightening of the chest or neck
• Difficulty talking
• Inability to catch your breath
• Blue lips or fingernails

With the right medical attention, asthma action plan, and recognition of early signs and symptoms, patients in Illinois can help minimize the severity of asthma attacks. To learn more about identifying the signs and symptoms of asthma, you can call us today to set up a consultation.

Share this Article