The most common symptoms of asthma are:

• Coughing
• Wheezing
• Shortness of breath
• Tightness in the chest
• Excessive mucus
• Rapid, shallow breathing
• Trouble sleeping
• Tiring quickly during exercise.
• Family members with asthma (genetic inclination)

Determining the level of severity by symptom:

Mild intermittent asthma

• Symptoms occur no more than 2 times a week and don’t appear at all between episodes.
• Episodes are brief.
• Nighttime symptoms occur no more than 2 times a month.
• Lung function tests are normal when the person is not having an asthma episode.
• Mild persistent asthma
• Symptoms occur more than 2 times a week but less than once a day.
• Sometimes interferes with daily activities.
• Nighttime symptoms occur more than 2 times a month.
• Lung function tests are normal when the person is not having an asthma episode and the results only vary a small amount from morning to afternoon.

Moderate persistent asthma

• Symptoms occur daily.
• An Inhaler is needed every day.
• Daily activities are sometimes interfered with.
• Nighttime symptoms occur more than once a week.
• Abnormal lung function tests, the results of which vary moderately from morning to afternoon.

Severe persistent asthma

• Symptoms occur all the time during the day.
• Daily physical activities are limited.
• Frequent episodes.
• Frequent nighttime symptoms.
• Abnormal lung function tests, the results of which vary greatly from morning to afternoon.

Triggers:
Not all people are triggered by the same things but here are some possibilities:

• Colds and other respiratory illnesses (especially viral).
• Cigarette smoke and air pollution.
• Strong emotions like laughing or crying hard.
• Hormone changes (during pregnancy or menstrual periods)
• Pollen, dust mites, and other airborne allergens.
• Foods with sulfites- processed potatoes, shrimp, nuts, dried fruit, beer or wine.
• Cold air
• Strenuous Exercise

Call your doctor if:

• You have an asthma episode and 6 hours after taking medication you still need your inhaler every 1-3 hours or your breathing is still not back to normal.
• You have never had an asthma episode before and you suddenly experience the symptoms of wheezing, chest tightness and difficulty breathing.
• You are coughing up green, dark brown or bloody mucus.
• Your symptoms are worsening even as you follow your plan of treatment.
• You are having symptoms every day (even if you are able to control them with your medications)