Most people who suffer from severe asthma attacks experience one or more significant changes in the way they feel before the onset of an episode. These early asthma symptoms are different from those that occur during an attack. Learning to recognize them can be a very valuable skill for the asthmatic. Knowing that an attack may be approaching provides the time to take preventative action or to prepare to mitigate the eventual episode’s severity.
Different people experience different early asthma symptoms. No two cases are identical. However, there are a number of common experiences and those who face asthma may be able to recognize their own early symptoms among these:
Fatigue. You may feel strangely tired or weak when engaging in physical activity.
Allergy- or cold-like symptoms. Some asthmatics notice congesting, runny noses, sneezing or a headache prior to an attack. This can be tricky, as the symptoms mirror those associated with allergies or a common cold.
Mood changes. Asthma’s early symptoms aren’t limited to the physical realm. In many cases one may notice that their easily upset, grumpy or out of sorts without an identifiable cause. If you feel you that your mood may not be tied to what’s really been happening in your life, it may be a case of asthma and not a matter of moodiness.
Night coughing. A frequent cough in the evening or through the night can be an indicator of an impending attack. You might think it’s a growing cold or congestion, but it could actually be an early warning.
Sleeplessness. An inability to sleep well can be a sign that one’s asthma may be ready to flare up. If one cup of coffee doesn’t usually keep you up all night, you might want to attribute your sleeplessness to an impending attack.
Mild shortness of breath. An asthmatic may notice a slight shortness of breath. It doesn’t measure up to the intensity experienced during an all-out attack, but it is noticeable. Don’t assume you “overdid it” and that everything will soon return to normal. You could be nearing a major episode.
If you suffer from asthma and experience any of these signs, it may be evidence of an approaching episode. These early asthma symptoms are often somewhat mild and it can be easy to attribute them to other causes, which often makes it difficult for asthmatics to recognize them.
Tracking your feelings before attacks can be a good way to figure out if you’re receiving early warning signals that may help you stave off attacks. If you begin to see some of these characteristics on a consistent basis prior to attacks, you’ll be better able to protect yourself by recognizing these early asthma symptoms.
You should identify if your current health insurance covers astma care.