Asthma Signs and Symptoms: How to Tell If You Have Asthma

Wheezing, Coughing, Trouble Breathing?

Often thought to be a childhood disorder, many adults might be walking around with asthma and not even know it. Only your health care professional or doctor should diagnose and prescribe medication for asthma, but this article can help you determine if you have the warning signs and symptoms of asthma, and if so, what you can do about it.

First, it's important to know that asthma symptoms can range from very mild to life threatening, and even if you have a mild case of asthma, a sudden flare up could occur, putting your life at risk if you don't seek medical attention. That's why it's important to consult your health care professional if you have any asthma symptoms.

Asthma is a disorder that results in the inflammation of the lining of the lungs, causing the air passages to narrow and restricting breathing. It is possible, such as in an allergic reaction or another outside influence, to have an asthmatic reaction to something without actually having asthma. Asthma itself is a chronic condition, which means it is expected to last most or all of your life, and that the symptoms might worsen in time.

No one knows for sure exactly what causes asthma or what triggers a flare up of asthma symptoms. While medical professionals know some common triggers for asthma, a patient can be exposed to these triggers one day and be fine and on another day have a major asthma attack.

Let's look at common asthma triggers first:

Allergens can cause asthma attacks - some allergens most commonly associated with asthma attacks are:

animal dander and fur
pollen
mold
dust mites
cockroaches
certain medication
certain foods

Viral Infections can cause asthma attacks:

colds
influenza
other viruses

Environmental Factors that can cause asthma attacks:

exercise
breathing cold
dry air
cigarette smoke
wood smoke
paint fumes
chemicals and perfumes
strong odors

Emotional Stress can cause asthma attacks:

Asthma symptoms can begin at any age, with no previous asthma symptoms having been present prior to the first flare-up. Some symptoms and warning signs of asthma that are not part of an asthma attack are: