Asthma Symptoms and Causes: What You Need to Know for Early Detection

While most people consider asthma to be a heart condition, it is actually a long-term lung disease that hinders the patient’s ability to breathe. However,  the more concerning aspect of asthma is that it can reduce a patient’s quality of life. But early detection can help mitigate its negatives to some extent, and asthma can be managed. But how do you identify asthma early on?

What Exactly is Asthma?

As mentioned above, it is a type of chronic lung disease. In which airways can become narrow, swollen, and produce extra mucus, making breathing difficult by restricting the airflow. This causes recurring periods of wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and coughing. These mentioned asthma symptoms often occur at night or early in the morning. 

It is also called bronchial asthma.

NOTE: If you’re experiencing asthma or need immediate medical help, schedule Mediva’s virtual urgent care appointment. 

At What Age Asthma Starts?

While it can happen at any age, it mostly starts during childhood.

Common Asthma Symptoms to Look For

It should be noted that symptoms of asthma present differently in adults and children. 

Common Asthma Symptoms in Adults

These are the most common signs of asthma in adults:

• Frequent coughing 

• Wheezing

• Breathlessness

• Chest Tightness 

• Fatigue 

Common Asthma Symptoms in Children

These are the most common signs of asthma in children:

• Frequent coughing 

• Lack of energy (compared to other children of the same age)

• Shortness of breath

• Wheezing

• Chest Tightness 

• Retractions (skin around ribs pulling in during breathing)

It should be noted that early detection of asthma in children is crucial to managing symptoms and maintaining quality of life. Additionally, childhood asthma symptoms can be difficult to detect, as children tend not to understand these symptoms. They might say phrases like “My chest feels funny” or “I keep coughing.”

Emergency Asthma Signs to Look for in Children

• Pale, blue, or grey lips or skin

• Very fast or abrupt breathing

• Significant breathing difficulty (grunting, stomach sucked in)

• Limpness or unresponsiveness

• Pausing mid-sentence to breathe

• Using abdominal muscles to breathe

• Widened nostrils

• Chest and sides pulling inward

• Increased heart rate

• Sweating

• Chest pain

• Inability to speak

What state has the most cases of Asthma?

Connecticut has the highest prevalence of asthma among children in the United States at 10.6%

What Causes Asthma?

Even in 2025, the exact causes of asthma remain unknown. However, the factors contributing to asthma are well searched. Here are those factors:

• Genetic: If parents (even one) have asthma, the child is more likely to develop asthma. A recent study, specifically for African American children, was conducted, mapping outthe  17q12–21.1 Locus gene. 

• Environmental factors: Exposure to allergens like pollen, dust mites, mold, pet dander, and air pollution, especially early in life. 

• Allergies: Having other allergic conditions, like eczema or hay fever, increases the risk.

• Chemicals: Harmful chemicals, fumes, or dust at the workplace.

• Smoking: Active or passive smoking increases risk.

NOTE: Prenatal vitamin D supplementation has been linked with a reduced risk of asthma in early childhood.

What is Silent Asthma Attack?

In this, typical audible signs, like wheezing and coughing, are absent. Hence the name. 

Silent Asthma Attack Symptoms

• Difficulty speaking 

• Unexplained fatigue

• Anxiety or restlessness

• Frequent yawning or sighing

The Importance of Early Detection: A Proactive Approach

The detection of asthma before it advances is very important for multiple important reasons:

• Preventing Lung Damage: Progressive lung damage becomes unavoidable when asthma remains untreated because the inflammation in the airways becomes continuous and results in permanent airway damage. Early detection can help doctors treat or manage it, preventing lung damage. 

  
  

• Improving Quality of Life: The timely management of asthma symptoms enables people to carry out their everyday activities, such as work while attending school and exercising continuously.

  
  

• Reducing Risk of Severe Exacerbations: Early diagnosis allows for creating individual treatment strategies that allow patients to detect adverse symptom progression so they can stop attacks from becoming fatal.

  
  

• Improving Sleep Quality: Sleep quality gets better because asthma suffers during nighttime, which causes interrupted rest. Such prompt symptom management allows people to reach better sleep quality while enhancing their overall health condition.

How is Asthma Diagnosed?

Diagnosis typically involves a medical check. This includes doctor inquiries about the symptoms, family health background, and more. 

• Physical Examination: Listening to your lungs with a stethoscope.

  
  

• Lung Function Tests: 

  
  

  • A spirometry tool records the amount of air you breathe in and out and your breathing speed.

  • A peak flow meter allows the evaluation of your breathing speed.

  • A methacholine challenge helps identify whether your airways show signs of hyperactivity.

    
    

• Allergy Testing: Surveillance for allergies happens through blood testing paired with skin examination for detecting the allergy trigger factors.

  
  

• Chest X-ray: This will check for alternative possible medical conditions.

Management: Taking Control of Asthma

Effective asthma management involves a comprehensive approach, including:

• Avoiding Triggers: Identifying and minimizing exposure to allergens or irritants.​

• Medication Adherence: Using prescribed inhalers or medications correctly.​

• Action Plan: Develop a plan with healthcare providers for managing attacks.

When to Seek Emergency Care

• Severe shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.

• Blue or gray lips or fingernails.

• The symptoms of chest pain or tightness fail to respond to medication treatment.

• A person experiences breathing that gets rapidly worse, as well as wheezing.

• A peak flow reading in the red zone of your action plan.

• Loss of consciousness.

Living Well with Asthma

Asthmatic patients who receive proper care can achieve full physical and social participation in their lives. Controlling asthma symptoms depends on early detection followed by strict adherence to individualized treatment plans in order to prevent serious complications.

A professional healthcare consultation is always recommended for proper diagnosis and treatment of asthma when you observe symptoms in yourself or others.