ASTHMA ILLNESS AND SYMPTOMS

Asthma symptoms can differ for each
person, but here are some of the
most common: Wheezing.

You may notice a wheezing sound when you breathe.
Sometimes this happens only when
you exercise or have a cold.
Frequent Cough. This may be more common at night.
You may or may not
cough up mucus.

Shortness of Breath. This is the feeling you can’t get
enough air into
your lungs. It may occur only once in a
while, or often.
Chest Tightness.
Your chest may feel tight, especially during cold weather
or exercise. This can also be the first
sign of a flare-up.
Talk to your healthcare provider if you
are experiencing any of these
symptoms.

The sooner you begin
treating your asthma and maintaining
control, the less damage you will
cause to your lungs in the long run.
There are many resources available for
people living with asthma and their
loved ones.
To learn more about your
asthma, visit one of the links below:
Taking Control of Asthma Making Your Medical Visits
More Satisfying What Causes Asthma Symptoms?
For people with asthma, respiratory
infections, allergens, chemicals, odors,
physical activity, emotions, seasonal
changes and smoking can irritate the
lungs.
We call these triggers because
they cause (trigger) changes in the airways.
Understanding the things that
trigger your asthma will help you
manage your disease. Work with your
healthcare provider to help find the
triggers that cause your asthma
symptoms.
Once you have identified the triggers that cause your
asthma
symptoms, work on ways to avoid the
trigger entirely or limit your exposure
to it.

» View a list of the most common
asthma triggers. How is Asthma Diagnosed? If you
experience
any of the
symptoms above, it
is important to see
your healthcare
provider to determine if you have asthma. You will be
asked for
some medical history, which should
include family members with asthma,
smoking, allergies, and exposure to
pollutants in your workplace.
You will
also get a physical exam.
There are also several breathing tests your
healthcare provider may perform.
The
most common test is called spirometry.
(Spirometry uses a device called, a
spirometer, to measure the amount
and speed of the air you blow out.) This will help your
healthcare provider
to see how well your lungs are
working.
There are other lung
diseases that may cause some of the
same symptoms as asthma.
If your
doctor thinks you might have something else, he or she
may order
additional tests. Asthma Treatment Once your
healthcare provider
makes a diagnosis
of asthma, you will
be prescribed
medicines to help control your asthma. Medicines
prescribed to treat your
asthma may seem difficult to
understand and difficult to use. It is
important that you work with your
healthcare provider on an asthma
action plan designed specifically for your needs. An
asthma action plan
provides key information on when to
take your medicines on a daily basis
and what to do in an emergency. This
will help you take control of your
asthma so you can live a healthy and productive life.