Symptoms of Asthma

If you, or someone that you know, is having difficulty breathing in certain situations then it may just be possible that they have asthma. To know whether or not you should visit a doctor, you need to first understand what the symptoms of asthma are. All you need to do is take a look at this list, and compare what you are experiencing with what you see. If they match up, go and see a doctor for final confirmation and so that you can receive proper treatment.

Beyond the general symptoms of asthma, you will also find some other interesting information as well. This other information is about the various types of asthma, and the symptoms that go along with it. All of this information can be a huge help in figuring out what is going on with you, your family members, or even the people that you know.

General symptoms:

• Coughing. Coughing by itself is not a symptom of asthma, that is unless it is a certain type of cough. Frequent persistent coughing that is generally at experienced at night, can be a symptom of asthma.
• Wheezing. Experiencing wheezing, particularly in conjunction with coughing, after some type of strenuous activity can potentially be a sign of asthma.
• Shortness of breath. Similar in nature to wheezing, shortness of breath can often be a sign of decreased lung capacity and function. Typically this type of symptom will show up, not only have some strenuous activity, but sometimes simply from walking around.
• Chest tightness, pain, or pressure. This particular symptom usually appears in conjunction with the other symptoms listed here. Keep in mind that this particular symptom (or symptoms) isn't a mild one. It will often be a severe tightness, pain, or pressure, that can be described as "steel bands being placed around the chest" or in similar wording. If you notice this symptom, particularly in conjunction with the others listed above, then you should see a doctor as soon as possible.

Types of asthma:

• Allergy induced. This type of asthma is typically found in those that experience chronic or severe allergies. If you experience the symptoms listed above, and also the symptoms of hay fever, or allergies, then you could potentially have this kind of asthma.
• Exercise induced. Exercise induced asthma is exactly what the name suggests, asthma that comes about from strenuous exercise or physical exertion. In this kind of asthma, the symptoms listed above usually only present themselves during periods of exercise or physical exertion.
• Coughing asthma. This particular type of asthma is usually only seen in those that show coughing as the most severe symptom. If you think that you have this type of asthma, then you really need to see a doctor, since some of the more common triggers for this type of asthma are things like respiratory infections and exercise.
• Work related. Work place asthma usually gets its name from the triggers that are present in the work place environment. This type of asthma will only show the symptoms on the days when you are at work. Examples of careers or jobs where this type of asthma is prevalent are woodworkers, nurses, painters, farmers, animal breeders, and others.
• Nighttime asthma. Also known by the name of nocturnal asthma, this is perhaps one of the most common types of asthma. It gets its name due the increased appearance of the symptoms during the night, usually when a person is sleeping. Since it is usually seen during the night when someone is sleeping, you will very rarely see the symptoms yourself, but have to be told about them by someone else.