What Are The Symptoms Of Asthma?

Edited by Guy Slowik MD FRCS. Last updated on June 28th 2011

Asthma symptoms occur as the child's lungs react to something to which they are sensitive. Inside the lung:

  • The many tiny muscles surrounding the air passages tighten, making them narrower than usual.
  • The air passages become swollen and more inflamed.
  • The swollen air passages produce more mucus, further clogging the already narrow tubes.

This results in the symptoms of asthma:

  • Shortness of breath as the child strains to get air into the lungs.
  • A wheezing, whistling sound, as the air goes through the narrowed airways.
  • Tightness in the chest, sometimes with pain.
  • Coughing to get rid of mucus.
  • A feeling that the throat is clogged.