Guest Author - Amy Anaruk

Children don�t always have the self-awareness or vocabulary prowess to tell you how they feel, so keeping a categorized list of asthma symptoms can help you figure out the state of their health. Emergency signs mean your child is in distress and requires immediate medical attention. Primary symptoms require intervention, usually with bronchodilators.

Asthmatics often exhibit very subtle, early symptoms as well, and identifying these and pre-treating them with an inhaler can sometimes avoid the full-out flare.


Emergency Symptoms

1. Cyanosis � blue-tinted skin, starting around the mouth and resulting from lack of oxygen in the blood
2. Posturing � hunched-over shoulders while breathing
3. Retractions - drawing in of the abdomen under the ribcage while inhaling
4. Peak flow readings in the red zone
5. Major problems breathing
6. Severe coughing or wheezing that doesn�t improve with emergency meds
7. Severe tightness in the chest that doesn�t improve with emergency meds


Flare Symptoms

1. Coughing fits
2. Wheezing
3. Shortness of breath
4. Tightness in the chest
5. Peak flow numbers in the yellow zone


Early/Subtle Symptoms

1. Mood swings
2. Crankiness
3. Fatigue
4. Watering eyes
5. Dark circles under the eyes
6. Cold symptoms - coughing, sneezing, and runny nose
7. Trouble sleeping
8. Restlessness
9. Low exercise tolerance
10.Any changes in breathing
11.Any changes in peak flow readings
12.Anxiety