Asthma & allergies: The warning signs of asthma

Some asthma symptoms may develop days before breathing tests show a significant decline in lung function. Yet in some situations the symptoms develop suddenly. The most common symptoms of asthma or an asthma attack include:

• Coughing, especially at night or during exercise
• Wheezing or losing your breath easily
• Tightness in the chest
• Fatigue and weakness, especially during exercise
• Trouble sleeping

What should you do if you have any of these asthma warning signs? Ideally, you, your asthma nurse and your GP should already have worked out a personal asthma plan. This is a simple set of steps to follow when you have asthma symptoms. Your asthma action plan may include measuring your breathing capacity with a device called a spirometer, and taking a dose of your reliever inhaler (usually blue). Your asthma nurse or doctor may also want you to change the dose of your daily maintenance therapy to help control your asthma.

Warning signs of an asthma emergency

Some warning signs of asthma are more serious than others. They include:

• Symptoms that keep getting worse, even with treatment
• Difficulty catching your breath or talking
• Flaring of your nostrils as you breathe
• Sucking in your chest or stomach with each breath
• Difficulty walking
• A bluish or greyish tinge to your lips or fingernails
• Racing pulse
• Feeling agitated and restless

If you have any of these asthma symptoms, get emergency medical help right away.

Anaphylaxis

Some people with asthma also have allergies. For example, hayfever is a risk factor for developing asthma. Some triggers can make asthma worse and in some cases a serious type of allergic reaction called anaphylaxis can occur. Most episodes of anaphylaxis are caused by food allergies, latex allergies or allergies to insect stings.

Most allergic reactions are localised to one area of your body - for example, an allergic reaction in your skin leads to hives (pale, itchy blotches on your skin, also called urticaria), or an allergic reaction in your nose leads to congestion. But in anaphylaxis, many different organs of your body are affected all at once. The results are rapid and life-threatening. Signs of anaphylaxis are:

• Hives and itchiness
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Pain in the abdomen
• Severe swelling in the throat that makes it hard to swallow or breathe
• Confusion
• Slurred speech
• Fast or weak pulse
• Dizziness (caused by a drop in blood pressure) and weakness
• Unconsciousness

Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency. Keep in mind that anaphylaxis often develops quickly after exposure to the allergen -- possibly within minutes. If you know you’re at risk of anaphylaxis, your doctor should have prescribed a medicine for emergencies. This is usually a special type of syringe containing adrenaline for injection, which you can use yourself. Always carry this with you.

Knowing your own warning signs of asthma

Of course, the list of asthma symptoms above is only a general guide. Everyone’s case is different, and you may have other asthma warning signs distinct to you.

So pay attention to your asthma symptoms. You may notice a pattern that can help guide you. Knowing your personal signs of asthma allows you to take action early, reducing the severity of your asthma attacks - or preventing asthma attacks altogether.