See Also:
Asthma: Introduction & Overview
Asthma: Signs & Symptoms
Asthma: Types
Asthma: Causes & Risk Factors
Asthma: Tests and Diagnosis Methods
Asthma: Treatment Options
Asthma: Prevention Options & Article Sources

Signs & Symptoms

Symptoms of asthma may range from mild shortness of breath to life-threatening airway obstruction. Most commonly, we see expiratory wheezing (when breathing out), with an increased rate of respiration. Sometimes the wheezing can actually be heard by another person as a whistling sound when the asthmatic breathes out.

Occasionally asthma presents simply with a cough that just won’t stop, and we may not hear wheezing at all. If the asthmatic attack is extremely bad, we may also not hear wheezing because the air flow is so low. They may also present with ronchi, rattling sounds caused by mucus in the larger airways.

Patients are generally somewhat anxious during an acute asthma attack. The anxiety subsides as the attack diminishes. If wheezing diminishes but anxiety increases, this indicates worsening of an asthma attack, and strongly suggests need for immediate medical care.

See Also:
Asthma: Introduction & Overview
Asthma: Signs & Symptoms
Asthma: Types
Asthma: Causes & Risk Factors
Asthma: Tests and Diagnosis Methods
Asthma: Treatment Options
Asthma: Prevention Options & Article Sources