The symptoms of asthma include:
- feeling breathless (you may gasp for breath)
- a tight chest, like a band tightening around it
- wheezing, which makes a whistling sound when you breathe
- coughing, particularly at night and early morning
- attacks triggered by exercise, exposure to allergens and other triggers
You may have one or more of these symptoms. Symptoms that are worse during the night or with exercise can mean that asthma is getting worse. Talk to your doctor or asthma nurse about this.
When asthma gets worse
When asthma symptoms get significantly worse, this is known as an asthma attack. A severe asthma attack usually develops slowly, taking 6 to 48 hours to become serious. However, for some people, asthma symptoms can get worse quickly.
As well as symptoms getting worse, you can tell that an asthma attack is developing when:
- you get more wheezy, tight-chested or breathless
- the reliever inhaler is not helping as much as usual
- there is a drop in your peak expiratory flow (see Asthma - diagnosis for more information)
If these things happen, do not ignore them. Contact your GP or asthma clinic or consult your asthma action plan, if you have one.
In a severe asthma attack, other things may happen such as:
- The reliever inhaler, which is usually blue, does not help symptoms at all.
- The symptoms of wheezing, coughing, tight chest are severe and constant.
- You are too breathless to speak.
- Your pulse is racing.
- You feel agitated or restless.
- Your lips or fingernails look blue.
Call 999 to seek immediate help if you or someone else has severe symptoms of asthma.
