Asthma in adults - What are the symptoms?

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What's an asthma attack?

If you have asthma, you sometimes have trouble breathing. This happens when the air passages in your lungs get narrower. So it's harder for air to go in and out of your lungs.

We've listed the main symptoms of asthma in adults.[1]

Feeling out of breath: This happens because air can't get out of your lungs. So there isn't enough room to get fresh air in. That's why you feel breathless and gasp for breath.
Tightness in your chest: Many people with asthma describe how their chest feels tight. It feels like a band is being pulled tight around their chest, or something heavy is sitting on it. It's uncomfortable and can be quite frightening.
Wheezing: This is a whistling sound that happens when you breathe. It's the noise of air moving through the narrowed air passages in your lungs.
Coughing: This is the most common symptom in children with asthma, but it's less common in adults. It happens because your lungs are trying to get rid of the thing that's triggering your asthma (pollen or dust, for example). You may find that you cough more at night or in the early morning.

You may get just one of these symptoms, but you're more likely to get two or more together.

Your symptoms may vary from day to day, depending on what's causing them. Many people find their breathing problems are worse at night. This is because your lungs don't work so well at night. And you may react more to triggers at night.

What's an asthma attack?

When you get asthma symptoms it's called an asthma attack. It can be mild or severe.

Mild attacks

Mild attacks are common. You may start to cough or feel tightness in your chest. You may make a whistling sound when you breathe (called a wheeze). When you notice these symptoms you should use your quick relief inhaler (this contains a drug called short-acting beta-2 agonist). Relievers are usually blue and should work quickly. Your airways should open, making it easier to breathe.

If your medicine doesn't help or your symptoms get worse, you should call your doctor.

Sometimes your symptoms may ease but then get worse again a few hours or days later. This second set of symptoms is called a late reaction. It can be worse than the first attack.

It happens because your airways have become more sensitive to the things that are triggering your asthma. So you may get more attacks. You may need to keep taking your asthma medicines for a few days. Call your doctor if you can't seem to control your symptoms.

For more information, see How can I tell when my asthma is getting out of control?

Severe attacks

When you get a severe asthma attack, your symptoms get worse quickly. You'll find it more and more difficult to breathe. You may also notice:

It's hard to talk because of your asthma
Your lips or fingernails turn grey or blue
Your nose opens wide when you breathe
Your skin is pulled in around your ribs and neck when you breathe
Your heartbeat or pulse is very fast
You find it hard to talk.

If this happens, go to the Accident and Emergency (A&E) department of your local hospital as quickly as you can. Your normal asthma medicines probably won't help. You'll need emergency treatment.

References

British Thoracic Society/Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network. Guideline on the management of asthma. July 2007. Available at http://www.brit-thoracic.org.uk/Guidelinessince%201997_asthma_html (accessed on 12 October 2007).

This information does not replace medical advice. If you are concerned you might have a medical problem please ask your Boots pharmacy team in your local Boots store, or see your doctor.