Identifying Asthma Symptoms and Dispelling Common Myths

Key Points

• According to data from 2021, it's estimated that more than 25 million people in the United States have asthma. That's about 7.7 percent of the population.
• People with asthma who are also sexually active may have to use a rescue inhaler during sex and require more recovery time afterward.
• The most common symptoms of asthma are breathlessness, coughing, wheezing and a tight chest. Other signs someone may have asthma are frequent colds, stuffy or runny nose and a tight feeling in the throat or chest when exercising.

Your asthma will never go away completely, but it is manageable with the right care.

Inflammation in the airways can be due to many factors, such as environmental pollutants, allergies and others. However, asthma is a respiratory condition that causes difficulty breathing and can result in wheezing, coughing and tightness in the chest.

For those living without asthma, it can be hard to explain how much it impacts someone's life because there are so many assumptions made about the condition. One thing is for sure, though, asthma can be very severe and even life-threatening if not treated properly.

People with asthma who are also sexually active experience other hardships, like having to use a rescue inhaler during sex, more recovery time after sex, or even decreasing or eliminating sex overall due to complications or embarrassment.

While any physical activity increases the chance of asthma complications or an asthma attack, it is possible to lead a normal and successful consensual sexual life with asthma. Communication is key, as well as being prepared with necessary interventions if something should occur.

Common asthma symptoms

"The most common symptoms of asthma are breathlessness, coughing, wheezing and a tight chest," said Daniel Atkinson, G.P., clinical lead at Treated.com in the United Kingdom. "These symptoms can suddenly worsen in intense episodes called asthma attacks. Asthma attacks cause severe difficulty breathing and can be very dangerous."

Flora Sadri, D.O., who is based in Lanesborough, Massachusetts, and medical director at Psyclarity Health, noted that the common symptoms of asthma can also cause fatigue and poor sleep quality due to breathing problems.

"Some other signs someone may have asthma are frequent colds, stuffy or runny nose and a tight feeling in the throat or chest when exercising," Sadri said.

Asthma symptoms themselves—as well as the frequency of asthma attacks—vary depending on the age of the person, the severity of the asthma and environmental factors.

If you suspect you or someone you love has asthma, talk to your healthcare provider to figure out a diagnosis and course of action for treatment.

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Testing and diagnosing asthma

"If you think you might have asthma, you should speak to a doctor," Atkinson advised. "They'll ask a couple of questions about your symptoms and when they occur, what triggers them and if you have any conditions such as allergies."

Atkinson added that your doctor might ask you to take some tests to determine whether you have asthma.

"A FeNO [fractional exhaled nitric oxide] test has you breathe into a machine that measures the nitric oxide in your breath, which is a sign of inflammation in your airways," Atkinson said. "A spirometry test is where you breathe into a device called a spirometer, which measures how fast you can exhale and the amount of air you can hold in your lungs. A peak flow test involves blowing into a handheld device, which measures how quickly you can breathe out. The test is carried out over multiple weeks to see how your breath changes over time."

Sadri noted that other tests, such as an allergy skin-prick test or blood test, may be used for diagnosing allergy-related triggers.

"Your doctor may also order a chest X-ray or CT scan to check for signs of inflammation in the lungs," Sadri said.

It might be time to see a doctor if you or your child are experiencing asthma symptoms, such as breathlessness, wheezing or tightness in the chest. Atkinson added that these symptoms could also be signs of other, more serious, conditions so seeking medical diagnosis is important.

"Additionally, if your symptoms are worsening or becoming more frequent despite treatment, it's recommended that you see your doctor for further evaluation," Sadri said.

What happens if you leave asthma undiagnosed?

For a variety of reasons, it's important to not let asthma go undiagnosed or untreated.

"If asthma goes undiagnosed and mistreated, it can lead to serious and potentially life-threatening problems," Sadri said. "Prolonged untreated asthma can cause permanent damage to the airways, leading to difficulty breathing and other respiratory issues. Additionally, uncontrolled asthma can lead to frequent exacerbations, which are episodes of worsening symptoms that require emergency medical attention."

Atkinson agreed that letting asthma go untreated can result in serious complications, leading to you feeling tired more often, which can impact how you are at work or school. He added that you may require unplanned visits to the doctor or hospital, and experience mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety and stress.

"Without treatment, you also become more susceptible to lung infections, like pneumonia and asthma attacks which can be potentially life-threatening," Atkinson said.

Myths and misconceptions about asthma

"As asthma is so common, there are a lot of misconceptions around it and how to treat it," Atkinson said. "Some people think asthma isn't serious, and that most children will outgrow it. But asthma can be a very serious condition and for many, it doesn't go away. And can return even if it does go away. It's also a common misconception that you should avoid physical activity if you have asthma, as keeping fit and healthy can help reduce inflammation and minimize asthma symptoms."

While it's important to be prepared when engaging in physical activity, getting regular exercise can be helpful. Talk to your healthcare provider before starting any new exercise program or sport to make sure your type of asthma can handle it, and be prepared with a rescue or emergency inhaler just in case of problems.

Sadri noted that a common misconception is that asthma is curable and that it's only a minor health issue. However, there is currently no cure for asthma and it can vary widely in severity depending on the individual and the environment they live in.

"While inhalers or medications may help manage symptoms, asthma can still be a serious and potentially life-threatening condition if not treated properly," Sadri said. "Additionally, it's important to understand that anyone can develop asthma, even if there is no family history of the condition."

According to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), some used to think of asthma as an emotional problem, but this has been proven untrue many times and many years ago.

Another misconception CHOP noted was the idea of asthma medication being addictive, and this notion might have come about as asthma medication usually becomes a life-long treatment. However, this is because the condition requires it and not because the medication is addictive.

One of the most important misconceptions is thinking that asthma has gone away for good simply because you're not actively experiencing symptoms. Like so many ailments, it doesn't always present itself in active symptoms but still exists within the body, ready to be triggered at any moment. Always stay on course with medications, check in with your doctor regularly and be prepared with any interventions in case of emergency.