Coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and chest tightness are not always just signs of a cold. When these symptoms keep coming back, especially at night or in the early morning, asthma may be one possible cause.
Whenever people develop a cough, runny nose or breathing discomfort, many assume it is simply a cold. But if these symptoms keep recurring, and are especially noticeable at night, in the early morning or after exercise, it may be more than an ordinary upper respiratory infection. In some cases, it could be related to asthma.
Common symptoms of asthma include wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath and a feeling of tightness in the chest. One of the key features of asthma is that symptoms often come and go. Some people feel perfectly well during the day, only to start coughing at night. Others notice that their symptoms flare up when the weather changes, or after exposure to dust, cold air, pet fur or other irritants. This pattern of recurring and fluctuating symptoms is very typical of asthma.
Many parents also mistake asthma in children for a lingering cold. That is because children with asthma do not always present with obvious wheezing. More often, they may have a persistent cough, a runny nose, or symptoms that make it seem as though they simply never fully recovered from a cold. An ordinary cold usually improves gradually with time. But if symptoms continue to linger for two to three weeks, or if the child seems to develop a long-lasting cough after every illness, it is worth taking a closer look.
Not every person with asthma presents mainly with wheezing. For some, cough is the dominant symptom, especially at night. Others notice breathlessness more during exercise, such as when running or climbing stairs. Once symptoms begin affecting sleep, school, sports or daily activities, it is no longer something to dismiss as just another cough.
If coughing keeps happening at night, if breathing sounds noisy, if the chest often feels tight, or if symptoms tend to flare up whenever the weather changes, it may be worth getting a respiratory assessment to find out whether asthma is involved.
