Recognizing the Signs of Asthma

By: Carlos Guerrero, RRT

Asthma is chronic lung disease that involves the narrowing of the small airways. The airway inflammation can cause mucus production and make breathing more difficult.

The goal of asthma management is to maintain a high quality of life and to continue your current activities while knowing your limitations. This can be accomplished by preventing severe episodes while recognizing the signs and symptoms, identifying your triggers and properly using medication to treat asthma.

Signs and symptoms

The classic symptoms of asthma include shortness of breath, chest tightness, wheezing and cough. The absence of wheezing, however, does not exclude asthma and a cough can sometimes be the only manifestation of asthma in children and adults.

Airway inflammation can be further triggered by allergens, certain occupational and environmental exposures, cigarette or e-cigarette smoke, dust mites, animal dander, cold air, indoor humid environments, stress or sulfites found in foods.

Adults should ask themselves and observe in their children if they’ve had these signs and symptoms:

• A sudden, severe episode or recurrent episodes of coughing, wheezing, or shortness of breath?
• Colds that go to the chest or take more than 10 days to resolve?
• Coughing or shortness of breath during a specific time of the year?
• Coughing, wheezing or shortness of breath when exposed to animals, tobacco smoke, or fragrances?
• Symptoms of heartburn or awaken with an acid taste in the back of the throat?
• Does the wheezing, coughing, or shortness of breath awaken you at night, early in the morning, or with physical activity?
• Does my child avoid physical or social activities for fear of embarrassment due to the shortness of breath?
• Does my infant or child have difficulty eating?
• Do I have a family history of asthma?

Treatment options

The treatment of asthma will vary across all age groups. It is important that adults and children should consult with their primary care provider. Based on your history, the provider will come up with an asthma action plan which describes when and how to use inhalers, what to do when the asthma gets worse and when to seek emergency care.

Typically, adults and adolescents are prescribed a handheld inhaler such as albuterol. To maximize the effectiveness of the medication and dose, a plastic chamber device should be used in conjunction with the inhaler. It’s also important that the healthcare provider educates you on the difference between a quick-acting inhaler such as albuterol and a maintenance inhaler.

Children under six years of age may be prescribed a nebulizer machine with a mask or mouthpiece. Parents will then have to instill the liquid vial medication into the aerosol cup and monitor the child during the treatment. As children get older, they should be coached to use a handheld inhaler. In addition, school aged children should keep a fast-acting handheld inhaler with their school nursing office and another one at home. In some school systems, children can always keep their handheld fast-acting inhaler with them.

If you suspect you or a family member may have asthma, contact your primary care provider to schedule an appointment. If you would like help finding an Marion Health primary care provider, call 765-660-6444.