Asthma Symptoms

There are slightly different symptoms with asthma, depending on the age of the individual. Often younger children, especially infants, have much less severe reactions than older children or adults. Many parents mistakenly believe that the first signs of asthma are just a chronic cold or throat irritation. Older children and adults may believe that asthma is the flu or a cough that just won’t go away. Sometimes, asthma is mistaken for seasonal allergies if it is not severe. To understand the various symptoms of asthma, it is important to consider the various age groups that it might strike.

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Infants and Children

The research published in the October 2004 Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology clearly indicates that the rate of infant asthma is dramatically decreased when babies are breastfed until at least four months of age. This is believed to occur because breastfeeding boosts the baby’s immune system and provides protection when they are first born.

Babies and young children that develop the following symptoms should be immediately checked for asthma by a pediatrician if a pattern is noted:

• Excessive mucus in the throat
• Congestion in the chest
• Noisy breathing or wheezing
• The children seem to always tire before others of the same age when they are playing
• Chronic coughing or shortness of breath when running or playing
• Complaints of sore throats
• Chronic cold symptoms

Children often will complain of coughing during the day, but may not cough at night when they are away from the triggers they may be exposed to during the day.

Adults and Older Children

Often adults or older children simply feel that they have a cold or cough that will not go away. The symptoms do not seem to change even if cold or cough medications are used. Sometimes, the symptoms only occur at certain times of the year so adults or older children may believe that they are allergic reactions, which may contribute to asthma attacks.

The following are the common symptoms for adult and older children with asthma:

• Coughing that doesn’t stop even after the rest of the cold symptoms have disappeared.
• Heavy feeling in the chest accompanied by a wheezing or whistling noise at times when breathing.
• Waking up during the night feeling unable to breath.
• Difficulties in breathing out or tightness in the chest.
• Feeling exhausted or tired all the time.
• Chronic respiratory soreness (lungs, airways, chest).
• Very easily out of breath or winded.

Adults or older children with these symptoms and a family history of respiratory problems should make a doctor's appointment as soon as possible to check for asthma.