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Respiratory Asthma Symptoms
Symptoms
About asthma

Symptoms

Symptoms of asthma can vary from person to person and may change over time. Some people with asthma may experience infrequent mild symptoms, whereas others with asthma may experience regular severe symptoms. 

Four circles with icons showing symptoms. First is “Chest pain” with an icon of a person clutching their text. Second is “Coughing” with an icon of a person coughing. Third is “Wheezing” with an icon of a head with a lightning bolt in the throat. Fourth is “Shortness of breath” with an icon of a person with a cloud of breath under their nose.

The onset of symptoms or a worsening in severity can be triggered by a variety of factors, as outlined in the section What causes asthma? Symptoms are often more pronounced at night or during physical activity.3

Asthma symptoms can suddenly become significantly worse during an asthma attack, which is a medical emergency requiring immediate treatment. During an attack, the airways become severely restricted, making it difficult to breathe.

Depending on their severity, asthma symptoms can interfere with daily life—for example, by disrupting sleep or impacting work, school, and other activities. Effective asthma management is essential to minimise its impact on everyday functioning.

References

  1. Gandhi NA, et al. Targeting key proximal drivers of type 2 inflammation in disease. Nature Reviews Drug Discovery. 2016. Jan;15(1):35-50.
  2. National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Asthma symptoms. Available at: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/asthma/symptoms. Last accessed April 2025.
  3. World Health Organization. Asthma Fact sheet. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/asthma. Last accessed April 2025.