Nocturnal asthma history and symptoms

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

History and Symptoms

• Most people with asthma have attacks separated by symptom-free periods. Some people have long-term shortness of breath with episodes of increased shortness of breath. Either wheezing or acough may be the main symptom.

• Asthma attacks can last for minutes to days, and can become dangerous if the airflow is severely restricted.

Symptoms include:

• Cough with or without sputum (phlegm) production
• Pulling in of the skin between the ribs when breathing (intercostal retractions)
• Shortness of breath that gets worse with exercise or activity
• Wheezing:
  • Comes in episodes with symptom-free periods in between
  • May be worse at night or in early morning
  • May go away on its own
  • Gets better when using drugs that open the airways (bronchodilators)
  • Gets worse when breathing in cold air
  • Gets worse with exercise
  • Gets worse with heartburn (reflux)
  • Usually begins suddenly

Emergency Symptoms

• Bluish color to the lips and face
• Decreased level of alertness such as severe drowsiness orconfusion, during an asthma attack
• Extreme difficulty breathing
• Rapid pulse
• Severe anxiety due to shortness of breath
• Sweating

Associated Symptoms

• Abnormal breathing pattern (breathing out takes more than twice as long as breathing in)
• Breathing temporarily stops
• Chest pain
• Nasal flaring
• Tightness in the chest