Asthma Symptoms

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Symptoms of asthma may include:

• Wheezing, which is a whistling sound when you breathe out
• Coughing, especially at night or early morning
• Shortness of breath
• Chest tightness

 
Other conditions can cause these symptoms. But in asthma, the symptoms often follow a pattern:

• They come and go over time or within the same day.
• They start or get worse with viral infections, such as a cold.
• They are triggered by exercise, allergies, cold air, or breathing too fast from laughing or crying.
• They are worse at night or in the morning.

Asthma symptoms in young children may look different than symptoms in others. It is also possible for symptoms to change as you get older. Watch out for these signs that your asthma might be getting worse:

• You have symptoms more often than usual, or they feel worse.
• You need your reliever medicine more often than usual.
• You wake up at night because of coughing or other asthma symptoms.
• You have trouble with usual activities, including exercise, because of your asthma.