The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that asthma affects 25 million Americans. Symptoms of asthma develop when the muscles surrounding the airways contract and the airway lining expands. The airflow is further restricted when mucus clogs the airways.
What are the symptoms of asthma? Although mild asthma symptoms might differ from person to person, the following are the most typical ones:
- Trouble breathing. Struggling to breathe, even while sleeping, or having trouble speaking comfortably due to lack of breathe.
- Uncontrollable cough happens at specific times or after physical activities.
- Chest tightness. As airways are constricted, tightness or congestion of the chest can occur.
- Breathing while producing a whistling sound.
- Weakness or lack of energy. Due to difficulty in breathing, physical exhaustion can happen.
Asthma affects the lungs in both children and adults, causing the airway linings muscle to become swollen, and narrowed as a result of muscular contractions; or clogged with thick mucus. Additionally, both children and adults can get asthma due to a virus, the common cold, the flu, or an infection. Despite these similarities, the symptoms can be different for every individual.
Asthma symptoms in kids
Pediatric asthma, also known as childhood asthma, is the most prevalent chronic illness in children, affecting 8.4% of them. Children with asthma face considerable challenges than adults. Due to this condition, it has becomes the leading cause of emergency hospitalization among kids.
Typical symptoms and indicators of pediatric asthma include:
- Frequent coughing
- Whistling or wheezing sound
- Shortness of breath
- Congestion of the chest
Asthma among children may also cause:
- Trouble sleeping
- Coughing exacerbated by a viral infection
- Delayed medical recovery
- Irregular breathing patterns after a physical activity
- Fatigue
Asthma symptoms in adults
Adult-onset asthma is asthma that first manifests after the age of 20. This implies that while children may only require medication when they are having an asthma attack, adults may need it every day. It is also important to note that adult-onset asthma is influenced by additional factors not present in childhood asthma.
The following are the usual symptoms of adult-onset asthma:
- Difficulty breathing
- Dry cough
- Wheezing
- Chest pressure
- Shortness of breath
- Cold that moves to the chest
To treat asthma symptoms and stop flare-ups, people with adult-onset asthma can use inhalers or oral drugs that help open the airways and reduce inflammation.
Symptoms
Common to both children and adults, allergic asthma is a respiratory condition where the airways tighten because of an inhaled allergen. These allergens may include pollen, dander and mold spores.
Allergic asthma symptoms are similar to the general asthma, including:
- Shortness in breath
- Coughing
- Wheezing
- Chest tightness
Allergic asthma may also show symptoms similar to allergic reactions::
- Stuffy nose
- Itchy or runny eyes
- Rashes
- Hives
- Sneezing
Meanwhile, here are some of the allergens that can trigger allergic asthma:
- Dander
- Pollen
- Mold
- Dust mites
- Cockroaches
- Smoke