Symptoms of Asthma

Symptoms

The main symptoms of asthma are primarily caused by narrowing of the airways due to inflammation of the airways and swelling of the mucous membranes. When allergenic substances are inhaled, the humoral immune system in our body produces antibodies against the inhaled allergens. Later, if a person with asthma inhales the same allergen, these antibodies recognize it and activate the immune system, producing chemicals as a result of the inflammatory response. This causes inflammation and swelling of the airways, narrowing of the airways, and the release of more mucus. When the bronchi become narrowed through this process, various asthma symptoms appear as a result. In addition to the typical respiratory symptoms of asthma, such as shortness of breath, cough, and wheezing, many people also complain of atypical symptoms. Some people repeatedly have only a dry cough, and others complain of a feeling of tightness in the chest, chest pressure, or only a sensation like phlegm stuck in the throat. In asthma patients, shortness of breath often worsens after catching a cold or appears after exercise such as running, along with wheezing sounds while breathing.

1. Main symptoms of asthma

1. Wheezing This is a whistling sound, such as "wheeze" or "whoo-whoo," heard when breathing in and out. Mild wheezing may be noticeable only when listened to with a stethoscope, but severe wheezing may also be heard by the person themselves or by those nearby.

2. Cough It is called paroxysmal because once it starts, it tends to continue without stopping. Also, asthma-related cough tends to worsen at night rather than during the day.

3. Chest tightness There is a feeling of the chest being squeezed or a sense of heaviness. This is a symptom felt because airflow is not smooth due to narrowed airways.

4. Shortness of breath Breathing can become very difficult, as if breathing through a straw. In some cases, it can become even more difficult than that, and in severe cases, a person may become unable to breathe at all, lose consciousness, and be brought to the emergency room. Meanwhile, with asthma-related shortness of breath, it is often harder to exhale than to inhale.

5. Phlegm Inflammation accompanies the narrowed bronchi, increasing secretions on the surface of the mucous membrane, and the discharge of these secretions outward is phlegm. Phlegm can block narrowed bronchi, trigger coughing, and make shortness of breath even worse.

2. Other symptoms of asthma Rapid breathing, delayed exhalation, rapid heart rate, and dry crackles may also appear. During a very severe asthma attack, the patient may become cyanotic due to lack of oxygen and may experience chest pain severe enough to lose consciousness. Just before losing consciousness, they may feel numbness in the arms and legs or notice sweating on the palms. A severe asthma attack that does not respond to standard treatment can be life-threatening and may lead to respiratory arrest and death.

So far, we have explained the symptoms of asthma. In the next part, we will look at the diagnosis of asthma.

Source: Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, National Health Information Portal