Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Nocturnal asthma history and symptoms
Introduction
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History and Symptoms
History and Symptoms
- Most people with asthma have attacks separated by symptom-free periods. Some people have long-term shortness of breath with episodes of increased shortness of breath. Either wheezing or acough may be the main symptom.
- Asthma attacks can last for minutes to days, and can become dangerous if the airflow is severely restricted.
Symptoms
- Cough with or without sputum (phlegm) production
- Pulling in of the skin between the ribs when breathing (intercostal retractions)
- Shortness of breath that gets worse with exercise or activity
- Wheezing:
- Comes in episodes with symptom-free periods in between
- May be worse at night or in early morning
- May go away on its own
- Gets better when using drugs that open the airways (bronchodilators)
- Gets worse when breathing in cold air
- Gets worse with exercise
- Gets worse with heartburn (reflux)
- Usually begins suddenly
Emergency Symptoms
- Bluish color to the lips and face
- Decreased level of alertness such as severe drowsiness orconfusion, during an asthma attack
- Extreme difficulty breathing
- Rapid pulse
- Severe anxiety due to shortness of breath
- Sweating
Associated Symptoms
- Abnormal breathing pattern (breathing out takes more than twice as long as breathing in)
- Breathing temporarily stops
- Chest pain
- Nasal flaring
- Tightness in the chest
References
References
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]