Asthma affects 25 million Americans. It's a chronic condition where airways become inflamed and narrow, making breathing difficult. Common triggers include allergens, exercise, cold air, and respiratory infections.
When to See a Doctor
🚨 Seek care urgentlySee your doctor if you have wheezing, coughing, or breathlessness that affects your daily life or wakes you at night. Call 911 for: severe difficulty breathing, lips or fingernails turning blue, confusion, or rescue inhaler not working.
Early Warning Signs
2 symptomsPersistent or nighttime coughing
Coughing — especially at night or after exercise — that won't go away. Cough-variant asthma produces only cough with no wheezing.
Exercise-induced symptoms
Wheezing, coughing, or shortness of breath that starts 5-10 minutes after exercise. Common in children and competitive athletes.
Common Symptoms
3 symptomsWheezing
A whistling or squeaky sound when breathing, especially when exhaling. Wheezing is a classic sign of narrowed airways.
Shortness of breath
Feeling winded during activities that wouldn't normally cause breathlessness, or having difficulty taking a full breath.
Chest tightness or pressure
A squeezing sensation in the chest as the airways narrow and the breathing muscles work harder.
Emergency Signs — Seek Immediate Care
2 symptomsInability to speak full sentences
When an asthma attack is severe, breathing becomes so labored that speaking in complete sentences is impossible. Seek emergency care.
Blue lips or fingernails (cyanosis)
Bluish discoloration from lack of oxygen is a medical emergency. Call 911 immediately.
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