Since asthma is a disease of the lungs, the most common symptoms of asthma are problems with breathing.  Every child with asthma will have different symptoms, but the most common ones include: 

• Wheezing
• Coughing
• Chest tightness
• Chest pain
• Trouble breathing or shortness of breath

People with uncontrolled asthma can have trouble breathing when they exert themselves, and even when doing the normal activities of daily life – such as walking, playing and sleeping.

An “attack” of asthma is when the asthma symptoms get much worse over a short period of time, like a few hours or days.  During an asthma attack, people can have trouble breathing even while they are resting.  Some attacks can be very serious and will need emergency medical treatment right away.  Other attacks are mild and can be treated at home.

It is important that you know what your child’s asthma symptoms are.  That way you can tell right away if their asthma is starting up.  It is also very important to be able to tell when their asthma symptoms are very serious and when you need help treating an asthma attack.  You can get more information in the Asthma Action Plan section.