I think that I may have it.

Can someone please tell me what the symptoms of asthma are… and how do you know you have it?

Thanks.

shortness of breath, wheezing

raspy breathy or feeling like your airway is closeing

Restriction of breathing, sometimes over a very simple task(walking the stairs). the only way to find out if you really have it is to go see your doctor.good luck

a feeling of difficulty breathing, particularly feels hard breathing out – often hear a wheeze on expiration

usually made worse by cold air or exercise

go to your doctors – a quick test to measure your expirde air velocity will confrim or otherwise

you could also have brochitis or a chest infection

ihope this helps
Breathing changes
Sneezing
Moodiness
Headache
Runny/stuffy nose
Coughing
Chin or throat itches
Feeling tired
Dark circles under eyes
Trouble sleeping
Poor tolerance for exercise

My brother used to say he "lost his air," when an attack was starting. You could see the ribs on his back moving in and out, because it was so hard for him trying to breathe.

Wheezing, which is a different kind of coughing is also a sign.

The ER gives oxygen to those having attacks. if the attacks are often, you might be given a nebulizer to use at home with Proventil in it. there is also Proventil syrup if the attacks aren't that bad.

Asthma does kill, so if anyone you know is having an attack, get straight to the ER.

From watching a friend of mine it usually is:

1.) Coughing and/or wheezing, chest pain, and shortness of breath, and bronchitis or bronchial infection
2.) Not being able to breath as easy as you could
3.) You get tired when you do a mobile activity

Hope I could help! if not, I would see a doctor.

We have all turned on the TV and watched the scenes of a character portrayed with classic asthmatic wheezing. It is called a “device” in the movie biz that is not nearly the truth for most asthmatics. Because of this dramatized device, wheezing has become one of the most overplayed signs of asthma so that most of us actually expect all asthma victims to have that tell tale wheeze when they breathe. These sounds, dubbed into movies and TV shows, like the wheeze and the raspy throat, have actually become scary to non-asthma sufferers. It is the worst side effect of the disease that is quite dramatic and used for that purpose. Because this device has become a standard in film and TV, the general public has come to believe that all asthmatics can be identified by these sounds.Hollywood fiction is certainly not the whole truth of this disease. actually, it is far from the truth for the majority of asthma sufferers. in fact, approximately 42% of all asthmatics do not wheeze or make raspy sounds at all, especially when under the care of a physician. The majority, nearly 60%, have a nagging cough when suffering an episode. Wheezing actually occurs only in the most extreme cases which is why movie makers use that device when depicting asthmatics to over-dramatize the scene.  but, such depictions create a false picture and may cause some borderline asthmatics to ignore real symptoms.Wheezing is certainly a sign of severe asthma  but other, less dramatic, symptoms should not be discounted. where there is a nagging cough, breathing problems when under even mild exertion, wheezing only when sleeping or at rest, or any shortness of breath, are all possible signs that a visit to a doctor may be indicated. Remember, only the most severe asthma sufferers fall into the wheezing category. The majority of asthmatics do not wheeze.Even if you do not suffer this disease, it is good to know what to do if someone has an attack in your presence. The key is to be calm if you are to help that person. An attack can be frightening, especially if you do not have asthma, so it may be up to you to remain calm so you can help the asthmatic get through an attack. there is nothing worse than feeling helpless when a friend or loved one is having an attack so here are some valuable tips that will help you to help the person having an attack.Keeping a cool head is the main way you can help. The asthmatic may be in a panic mode so they will need you to talk to them to calm them and regulate their breathing. I am reminded of Mel Gibson in the movie “Signs” where he talks to his son who is having an attack. he has his son breathe with him in a relaxed and steady manner. for once Hollywood had it right!Asthmatics, who are under the care of a doctor, will likely have an inhaler handy or within easy reach. If you are going to be out and about with an asthmatic, find out where their inhaler is located and be sure it can be easily reached should an attack occur. Most asthmatics will likely have their medication with them at all times but you should ask just the same. After all, it will be you who will be called upon to help should an attack occur.  Do not hesitate to call an ambulance to get the asthmatic to the nearest hospital emergency room if the attack is not mitigated by an inhaler or other measures. in most cases, you should be able to handle the situation. however, in extreme cases, the victim may pass out and emergency medical help is then warranted.If you, yourself, are diagnosed with asthma, you likely already have a plan prescribed by your doctor as to what you need to do when an attack strikes unexpectedly. your main goal is to first calm yourself so you can take the medical steps needed, such as using an inhaler immediately. If you allow the stress of the attack to overtake you, your breathing will worsen and you will panic even more. so, staying calm is your best first step to overcoming an attack.

Regular use of household cleaning sprays and air freshener may increase the risk of adult-onset asthma, according to a new study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

Researchers analyzed data from the European Community Respiratory Health Survey, which collected epidemiological data at 22 centers in 10 countries. They followed this up with face-to-face interviews of 3,503 people who did the cleaning in their home and were free of asthma when the study began. Participants answered questions about the frequency of their use of 15 kinds of cleaning products. the researchers then followed up nine years later, using an interview to determine the participants’ current asthma and wheeze levels, and the occurrence of physician-diagnosed asthma and allergy.

Those who used cleaning sprays at least once per week were 50 percent more likely to have increased asthma symptoms, wheeze, or asthma medication use in nine years than those who used such products less frequently. those who used sprays at least four times per week were significantly more likely to have been diagnosed with asthma by a physician than those who used them less frequently. the strongest association was found with air freshener, glass cleaners and furniture-cleaning sprays.

The researchers found no association between the use of non-spray cleaners, such as solvent stain removers and washing powders, and the incidence of asthma. there was also no apparent asthma increase associated with infrequently used spray products, such as oven cleaners.

“Even a small reduction in lung function may indicate some harm to the lungs,” said lead NIEHS researcher Stephanie London, M.D. “The best way to protect yourself, especially children who may have asthma or other respiratory illnesses, is to reduce the use of products and materials that contain these compounds.”

The study — published in Environmental Health Perspectives — analyzed the effect of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as 1,4 DCB on the lung function of 953 adult men and women. Of the chemicals studied, which included VOCs benzene, toluene and acetone, only 1,4 DCB was linked to a reduction in pulmonary function; a link found to be significant even when smoking was factored in.

The chemical 1,4 DCB is usually found in space deodorizing products, such as room fresheners, urinal cakes and toilet bowl fresheners, and is used as an insecticide for moth control, according to the HIEHS. it can also be found in things like tobacco smoke, paints, cleaning products and vehicle exhausts, and is detectable in 96 percent of population blood samples, with blacks showing the highest levels and non-Hispanic whites showing the lowest.

Many common consumer products contain dangerous chemicals that harm human health and promote cancer, says author Randall Fitzgerald in his book the Hundred-Year Lie. Numerous household products expose consumers to harmful chemicals, including air freshener, deodorant products, antibacterial soaps and many more.