Asthma Symptoms

Asthma is a serious global health problem. People of all ages in countries throughout the world are affected by this chronic lung disease, when uncontrolled, can place severe limits on daily life and is sometimes fatal. The prevalence of asthma is increasing in most countries, especially among children. Asthma is a significant burden, not only in terms of health care costs but also of lost productivity and reduced participation in family life.

Asthma type can also divide from its symptoms whether the symptoms are precipitated by allergens (atopic) or not (non-atopic). Asthma symptoms may vary depend on its severity, there are asthma common symptoms that most patient more likely had. But, not all asthma patient has all of those symptoms.

• Coughing at night
• Shortness of breath
• Chest tightness, or pressure
• Wheezing

Symptoms can worsen gradually and rather insidiously, up to the point of an acute exacerbation of asthma. It is a common misconception that all people with asthma wheeze—some never wheeze, and their disease may be confused with another chronic obstructive pulmonary disease such as emphysema or chronic bronchitis.

Because of the spectrum of severity within the asthma, some people with asthma only rarely experience symptoms, usually in response to triggers, where as other more severe cases may have marked airflow obstruction at all times.

Asthma exists in two states: the steady-state of chronic asthma, and the acute state of an acute asthma exacerbation. The symptoms are different depending on what state the patient is in.

Main Article: Asthma