An asthma diagnosis was once considered to be very serious. While asthma is certainly a disease that requires attention and attention to early symptoms, most asthma sufferers live full and active lives. Mild asthma symptoms are a signal that your body needs your attention, so be sure to understand what your body is telling you to avoid more serious consequences.
Identification
Mild asthma symptoms include dry coughing and shortness of breath. Mild wheezing may also be present. As your airways become obstructed, the coughing becomes more pronounced and wheezing will become more readily apparent.
If you have previously undiagnosed asthma, be aware that you can develop asthma at any age. If, for example, you have had an upper respiratory infection and are still dry coughing 10 days after other symptoms have resolved, you may want to have your doctor check to see if asthma is the culprit.
Function
Mild asthma symptoms signal the beginning of an asthma attack. They serve to remind you that you need to take your medication to avoid having the attack become more pronounced.
Because children are often remiss in taking regular or even occasional medication, be on the lookout for a dry cough that isn't resolving or mild wheezing when your child is breathing in. If either of these symptoms occur, an asthma attack may be starting and your child should reach for her inhaler or nebulizer.
Effects
If you don't respond to your body's signal that an asthma attack has begun, the airways will become inflamed and constricted, resulting in a much more significant attack. If the use of an inhaler or nebulizer doesn't seem to stop the attack, or works for only a short time, get emergency help as the attack may be escalating beyond the scope of these drugs. Pay attention to other symptoms that tell you that your mild asthma symptoms are getting worse, such as blue or gray fingertips, rapid breathing or puling in of the skin around your ribs when breathing.
Triggers
Asthma attacks can begin for a number of reasons. The most common triggers are exposure to cigarette smoke, heavy perfumes, allergens such as fur or feathers and exercise. If you can track what has triggered your attack, you're more likely to be able to head off future asthma attacks or at least have your medication at hand more quickly should those triggers be unavoidable.
Potential
Asthma is a manageable disease. While mild asthma symptoms typically occur one or two times per week, with night coughing occurring a few nights a week, many children will grow out of the condition altogether. If you stay on top of your asthma, you can live an active and relatively worry-free life.
