Asthma – symptoms, types and how to manage it

Asthma is a common long-term condition that affects your breathing and is caused by inflammation in your airways. Understand the symptoms and how to manage it.


Asthma symptoms 

What are the different types of asthma?

Who is most at risk? 

When to see a doctor

How to get a diagnosis

What’s the treatment for asthma?

Self-care to manage your symptoms

Asthma is a common, long-term condition that makes it difficult to breathe. Symptoms can be mild or severe, and most people have triggers that are individual to them. Find out about the symptoms and what can help.


Asthma is caused by swelling (inflammation) in your airways – the passages between your mouth, nose, and lungs. 

When your airways are inflamed, they’re narrower, which can make it harder to breathe. People with asthma have explained it feels like ‘breathing through a straw’ and that their lungs feel ‘itchy’.

The inflammation also makes your airways more sensitive, and they can react to ‘triggers’ – such as pollution, allergies, and even emotions – by narrowing even more. 


## Asthma symptoms 

When your airways are inflamed and narrowed, it causes symptoms such as: 

- breathing problems
- coughing
- wheezing 
- chest tightness
- pain.

It’s also common to feel tired – asthma can often be worse at night, so your sleep can be interrupted by coughing and wheezing.

Some people find their asthma symptoms are [triggered by certain things](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/conditions/asthma#types-of-asthma), such as exercise or allergies.

### What are the symptoms of an asthma attack?

An asthma attack, also known as an exacerbation or a flare-up, is when your symptoms get worse, either suddenly or over a few days. 

Symptoms include: 

- wheezing and coughing constantly and severely
- chest tightness or pain
- an itchy throat or runny nose
- breathlessness to the point of being unable to speak, eat, or sleep 
- breathing quickly 
- fast heartbeat 
- feeling drowsy, confused, dizzy, or exhausted 
- blue lips and fingers 
- fainting.

If you suspect you’re having an asthma attack try to stay calm and sit in an upright position. Take 1 puff of your reliever inhaler (usually blue), every 30-60 seconds (you can do this up to 10 puffs). 

If you don’t feel better after this, or you feel your inhaler is not relieving your medical symptoms, get emergency medical help.

Find out more about [asthma attacks and what to do if you suspect you or someone else is having one](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/treatments/your-asthma-action-plan-prevent-and-treat-asthma-attacks#what-is-an-asthma-attack). 

Watch this video to learn more about the early warning signs of an asthma attack.

Get help with this

## What are the different types of asthma?

Knowing which type of asthma you have can help you manage it better:

- __allergic asthma__ – triggered by ‘allergens’ – such as pet dander, pollen and dust mites, mold, and cockroaches
- __seasonal asthma__ – for some people, changes in temperature can trigger asthma, including cold weather, which can irritate the lungs and hot weather, which can cause airways to narrow
- __occupational asthma__ – it can be triggered by allergens related to your job – for example, handling flour in a bakery, or using latex gloves in healthcare. Other triggers include chemicals, fumes, paint, and animal fur
- __exercise-induced asthma__ – affects up to 90% of people with asthma and means that exercise makes you breathe harder, faster, and deeper; you’ll usually inhale through your mouth; and you cough (a common symptom) within 10 minutes of starting exercise 
- __adult onset asthma__ – asthma can start in later life – perhaps due to occupational hazards, smoking, obesity, hormones or stressful life events
- __non-allergic asthma__ – this type doesn’t appear to be triggered by any allergens. It’s poorly understood, and can be difficult to manage. It tends to develop later in life and can be severe
- __severe asthma__ – affects about 4% of people and means their symptoms aren’t under control despite taking [long-term treatments](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/treatments/your-asthma-action-plan-prevent-and-treat-asthma-attacks#what-is-an-asthma-attack), using the highest dose of steroid inhaler and following a treatment plan. It may mean using a quick-relief inhaler 3 or more times a week, and having 2 or more asthma attacks a year.


## Who is most at risk? 

It’s not clear why some people get asthma and others don’t, but some things mean you’re more likely to be affected including:

- being a woman – about 9.8% of adult women are affected, compared with 6.1% of adult men (thought to be due to hormones) 
- having another allergy-related condition – known as an ‘atopic condition’ – such as [eczema](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/conditions/eczema-atopic), pollen allergy ([hay fever](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/conditions/hay-fever)), or [food allergy](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/conditions/food-allergy)
- having a family history of asthma or atopic conditions
- having a lung infection called [bronchiolitis](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/conditions/bronchiolitis) as a child
- having exposure to tobacco smoke as a child, or a mother who smoked during pregnancy
- being born preterm (before 37 weeks) or with a low birth weight.


## When to see a doctor

If you have asthma symptoms, or you’ve been diagnosed and your symptoms have got worse, or you’re concerned, see your doctor.


## How to get a diagnosis

Your doctor will diagnose asthma based on your symptoms, plus your medical and family history. 

As well as being asked about your symptoms you’ll have a lung function test to see how well you breathe in and out. They are often done before and after breathing in a medicine called a bronchodilator, which opens up your airways. They include:

- peak flow test – a hand-held device measures the air you can blow out in one go. It can also be used for home monitoring
- spirometry – this test measures how well and how fast you breathe in and out.

A FeNO (Fractional exhaled nitric oxide) test is also used to diagnose asthma by measuring nitric oxide levels in your breath – a sign of inflammation in your lungs.

Blood tests, a chest X-ray or allergy tests may also be done.


## What’s the treatment for asthma?

Asthma can’t be cured, but there are treatments to help you manage symptoms and enjoy a healthy, active life. 

Asthma can result in other health issues or can be fatal if not managed in the right way, so it’s vital to follow your treatment plan and limit asthma attacks. 

Your doctor can help you decide on the best treatment for you. Inhalers – or puffers – are devices that allow you to breathe medication into your lungs and are the most common treatment. They include:

- __reliever inhaler__ – also known as bronchodilator, it opens your air passages to relieve asthma symptoms within minutes. If you use this more than 3 times a week you may need additional treatment
- __preventer inhaler__ –  or steroid inhaler stops you getting symptoms, by reducing inflammation and sensitivity in your airways. Use this type of inhaler even when you don’t have symptoms
- __combination inhalers__ – used to control asthma if other types of inhalers aren’t working. They combine the other 2 types to prevent and relieve symptoms and should be used every day, even when you don’t have symptoms. 

Your doctor will help you create an [asthma action plan](https://aafa.org/asthma/asthma-treatment/asthma-treatment-action-plan/) as part of your treatment to identify your triggers and give details about your medication. 

Sometimes your doctor might prescribe other types of treatment depending on your symptoms. This may include: 

- __oral medications__, such as leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRAs), theophylline and steroid tablets
- __injections__ – called biologics that target cells to prevent swelling in your airways. These are for people with severe asthma and are given every few weeks
- __surgery__ – called bronchial thermoplasty (heat is used on muscles around the airways to stop narrowing), and is for people with severe asthma. 

### What about complementary therapies?

There’s little evidence that complementary therapies such as homeopathy, acupuncture, and devices known as ionizers, work. 

Some research suggests that breathing techniques such as the Papworth method and the Buteyko method can help improve symptoms, but they should be used alongside medication. 


## Self-care to manage your symptoms

There are many positive steps you can take to manage asthma 

1. Know your triggers and avoid them wherever possible, such as allergens like pollen.
2. Manage your medication – use your inhaler correctly and if you’re using preventer inhalers or pills make sure you’re using them daily. Check with a pharmacist or healthcare provider before taking any other medication.  
3. Stay healthy by stopping smoking, exercising regularly, and eating a healthy balanced diet. Managing stress levels can also help as it can be a common trigger. 
4. Get vaccinated for flu every year plus the pneumonia shot as both conditions can cause serious complications in people with asthma. 
5. Join a support group to connect with others: [Asthma+Lung UK](https://www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/groups-support), [Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America](https://aafa.org/about-aafa/aafa-affiliated-asthma-allergy-support-groups/) and [Global Initiative for Asthma](https://ginasthma.org/useful-links/). 


error

 There was an error when submitting your feedback – have a screen break then try again in a few minutes.

Oh no, something’s gone wrong

ANY COMMENTS OR SUGGESTIONS?

initial

This isn’t helpful

This isn’t relevant

Something is wrong

This isn’t accurate

Please select one.

loading

success

We're listening – we use your feedback to improve your experience, and make our content more helpful.

Thank you for your feedback

References

Rosa Bowden

Jo Waters

Jo Wheatley

Dr Emily Blount

Dr Ann Nainan

Dr Adiele Hoffman

Article information

All of Healthily's articles undergo medical safety checks to verify that the information is medically safe. View more details in our <a href="/safety" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">safety page</a>, or read our <a href="/legal/editorial-policy-principles" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">editorial policy</a>.

Asthma is a common long-term condition that affects your breathing and is caused by inflammation in your airways. Understand the symptoms and how to manage it.