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Asthma



Lungs
Lungs
Spirometry
Spirometry
Asthma
Asthma
Normal versus asthmatic bronchiole
Normal versus asthmatic bronchiole
Peak flow meter
Peak flow meter
Asthmatic bronchiole and normal bronchiole
Asthmatic bronchiole and normal bronchiole
Common asthma triggers
Common asthma triggers
Exercise-induced asthma
Exercise-induced asthma
Respiratory system
Respiratory system
Spacer use - series
Spacer use - series
Metered dose inhaler use - series
Metered dose inhaler use - series
Nebulizer use - series
Nebulizer use - series
Peak flow meter use - series
Peak flow meter use - series


Asthma

Alternative Names:

Bronchial asthma; Exercise induced asthma - bronchial
Symptoms:
  • wheezing
    • usually begins suddenly
    • is episodic
    • may be worse at night or in early morning
    • aggravated by exposure to cold air
    • aggravated by exercise
    • aggravated by heartburn (reflux)
    • resolves spontaneously
    • relieved by bronchodilators (drugs that open the airways)
  • cough with or without sputum (phlegm) production
  • shortness of breath that is aggravated by exercise
  • breathing that requires increased work
  • intercostal retractions (pulling of the skin between the ribs when breathing)


Emergency symptoms:

Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:

  • nasal flaring
  • chest pain
  • tightness in the chest
  • abnormal breathing pattern, in which exhalation (breathing out) takes more than twice as long as inspiration (breathing in)
  • breathing which temporarily stops

Signs and tests:

Your doctor will listen to the chest during an episode, to listen for wheezing sounds. However, lung sounds are usually normal between asthma episodes.

Tests may include:





Symptoms Checker