Signs and symptoms of Asthma

Asthma

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Chronic Asthma

Classic asthma is characterized by episodic dyspnea associated with wheezing, but the clinical presentation of asthma is diverse. Patients may also complain of episodes of dyspnea, chest tightness, coughing (particularly at night), wheezing, or a whistling sound when breathing. These often occur with exercise but may occur spontaneously or in association with known allergens. 

Ø      Signs include expiratory wheezing on auscultation, dry hacking cough, or signs of atopy (e.g., allergic rhinitis or eczema).

Ø      Asthma can vary from chronic daily symptoms to only intermittent symptoms. The intervals between symptoms may be days, weeks, months, or years.

Ø      The severity is determined by lung function, symptoms, night time awakenings, and interference with normal activity prior to therapy. Patients can present with mild intermittent symptoms that require no medications or only occasional use of short-acting inhaled β2-agonists to severe chronic asthma symptoms despite receiving multiple medications.

Severe acute asthma

Ø      Uncontrolled asthma can progress to an acute state where inflammation, airway edema, excessive mucus accumulation, and severe bronchospasm result in profound airway narrowing that is poorly responsive to usual bronchodilator therapy.

Ø      Patients may be anxious in acute distress and complain of severe dyspnea, shortness of breath, chest tightness, or burning. They may be able to say only a few words with each breath. Symptoms are unresponsive to usual measures.

Ø      Signs include expiratory and inspiratory wheezing on auscultation, dry hacking cough, tachypnea, tachycardia, pallor or cyanosis, and hyper inflated chest with intercostal and supraclavicular retractions. Breath sounds may be diminished with very severe obstruction.

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