What are the symptoms of asthma?

Asthma may resemble other respiratory problems such as emphysema, bronchitis, and lower respiratory infections. It is often under-diagnosed and many people with the disease do not know they have it. Sometimes, the only symptom is a chronic cough, especially at night, or coughing or wheezing that occurs only with exercise. Some people think they have recurrent bronchitis, since respiratory infections usually settle in the chest in a person predisposed to asthma.

Most experts now believe that asthma develops in an individual within the first few years of life. These symptoms sometimes can be observed during infancy, but there are other cases where asthma does not make its presence known until later in childhood or even into adulthood. Asthma symptoms are responsible for 1.8 million visits to the emergency room, making it one of the most common reasons for visits to emergency rooms and hospitalization.

The symptoms of asthma or an impending asthma attack are numerous. They include:

• Rapid breathing
• Chest pain or tightness
• Chronic coughing
• Breathing difficulty
• Fever
• Headache
• Stuffy head
• Sneezing
• Scratchy or sore throat
• Itchy, watery eyes
• Runny nose
• Restlessness
• Listlessness

Some symptoms that appear to indicate asthma actually mask the presence of a separate condition, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or sinusitis. Those who experience these symptoms should see a healthcare professional to obtain an accurate diagnosis.

It is important to note that the type and severity of symptoms experienced vary from person to person, as well as from episode to episode in the same person. The frequency of symptoms will also vary between patients. While some patients only experience symptoms every few months, others have symptoms every day. However, all patients can reduce the likelihood of asthma symptoms by consulting a physician and receiving proper treatment.

It is also important to note that signs and symptoms of asthma may vary in infants and children.

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