Symptoms and Diagnosis

Symptoms of asthma

Asthma can affect people of all ages, and often beings during childhood.¹In fact, most children with asthma experience symptoms before age 5.² Symptoms of asthma and how frequently they occur can differ between each person, however, common ones include:^3,4

A cough that doesn’t go away
Wheezing when breathing out or breathing in
Trouble catching your breath or difficulty breathing, even at rest
Chest tightness causing difficulty breathing

Most people with asthma have one or more of the above symptoms.⁵ While asthma can cause these symptoms, other conditions can cause these symptoms also.^3,4 These symptoms can come and go in the same day or last for longer, and can be worse at night or in the morning, or even during exercise.^3,4During an asthma attack, symptoms can be much worse, and can come on gradually or suddenly; they may even be life-threatening.⁶

How is asthma diagnosed?

In addition to evaluating symptoms, your health care provider will ask about your health history, complete a physical exam, and perform some diagnostic tests.^8,9A health history will include identifying any family members with asthma, if you have any allergies, and/or any smoking or exposure to second-hand smoke or pollutants.⁸

Diagnostic testing can include breathing tests for lung function, markers of inflammation, and response to medications or allergens, as well as blood or skin tests to evaluate for allergies and inflammation.^8,9 If another lung disease is suspected as the cause of any reported symptoms, additional tests may be ordered by your health care provider.⁸ Since diagnostic tests may be difficult to perform in children, a 4 to 6 week trial of asthma medications may be performed to see if there is any symptom improvement.¹⁰