Symptoms and Complications
Some people develop asthma attacks quickly, over just a few hours or even minutes, while other people experience symptoms that progress slowly. Asthma also varies in severity. Some people experience asthma symptoms continuously, while others experience symptoms only when they are exposed to triggers. Regardless of the severity, typical asthma symptoms include:
- chest tightness
- coughing
- shortness of breath
- wheezing
Asthma symptoms often begin to worsen at night. Waking up at night or in the early morning and having to use a rescue inhaler is a reliable sign that the asthma is not well controlled.
Wheezing is the best-known asthma symptom, but not everyone with asthma wheezes. Some people only have a cough that doesn't seem to go away.
A really severe asthma attack is life-threatening. Even if some air is coming in, deadly carbon dioxide builds up in the blood. If you or a family member can't breathe and the normal asthma medication isn't working, call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number. People die every year from asthma, most of whom would have survived had they received earlier medical attention.