Unfortunately, many people are faced with the complications that asthma can cause. In severe cases, asthma can completely ruin a person’s quality of life – especially if attacks are easily triggered by their pets. Here are a few signs that you may have asthma.
When an attack occurs, generally a person will either start coughing or wheezing – some people never wheeze which can throw many doctors off when it comes to diagnosing asthma symptoms. A general tightness is felt in the chest region, which can spread into the neck and shoulders.
When an asthma attack is happening it is very hard to draw in a deep breath. It almost feels as though you are underwater and trying to hold your breath. These episodes can become very painful for some people – and they can be incredibly scary even if you have experienced dozens before.
Asthma attacks are generally induced by either environmental factors or exercise. If you notice that smoke or pet dander seems to cause wheezing for you, asthma may be suspect. Many people only suffer from attacks when they exert themselves with some form of exercise – running is a very common cause.
You may also have asthma if you constantly wake up in the middle of the night when you are laying down flat in bed. Many people who have asthma cannot sleep well during the night unless they are propped up with several pillows.
If you suspect that you are suffering from asthma, you should immediately contact your doctor. While rare, asthma attacks can turn fatal if they are severe enough. Your doctor can help you decide on how you can manage your asthma effectively with different medicines. They will also recommend things that you should stay away from so that you don’t trigger unnecessary attacks on a consistent basis.