Early warning signs of an asthma attack are changes that happen before or at the very beginning of an asthma attack. It is a way your body is trying to let you know that you are about to have an asthma attack. Early warning signs vary amongst individuals. To know your individual signs, you will have to learn it from your previous asthma experience. Once you managed to recognise these signs, you may be able to stop an asthma episode or prevent one from getting worse. These signs are not severe enough to stop a person from going about his or her daily activities. It may precede the asthma attack by days or hours or just as it began.

These signs include:

● A frequent cough that doesn’t go away, especially at night
● Lower peak flow meter readings
● Losing your breath easily or shortness of breath
● Feeling very tired or weak when exercising
● Wheezing or coughing during or after exercise
● Difficulty breathing after exercise
● Increased tiredness
● Trouble sleeping and nighttime asthma
● Mood change – easily upset, irritable or extra quiet
● Signs of a cold or allergies (sneezing, runny nose, cough, nasal congestion, sore throat, and headache)
● Tightening of your chest or a feeling that something is sitting on your chest
● Itchy chin
● Dark circles under eyes
● Thirst
● Itchy, glassy or watery eyes
● Stomach ache
● A headache
● Fever
● Feeling restless
● Change in face colour – pale or flushed
● Throat clearing
● Eczema flare-up

These particular early signs tend to be the most common ones reported. It is not the only signs you may encounter and does not apply to everyone. Hence, start paying close attention to your body. The severity of an asthma attack can escalate rapidly, so if you are attuned to your own early warning signs, it can help you maintain control very early on. Keep an asthma journal and write down how you are feeling, your symptoms and peak flow every day. The reading of peak flow meter is indicative of how fast you can blow out, and if it is decreasing, your asthma may be getting worse.

If you did not recognise your early asthma signs, you may need to use a peak flow meter regularly. Keep track of your warning signs and peak flow number and you’ll start to notice a pattern to be able to predict if your asthma is worsening.

Once you know your early warning signs, treat these symptoms immediately when it occurs. If you suspect that there is an impending asthma attack because of a trigger, stop what you are doing, remove yourself from the situation, and treat yourself according to your asthma management plan if necessary. By getting away from the source of triggers right away (eg: exercise, dust mites, pollen) or taking more medications, you may prevent it from becoming a full-fledged asthma attack. The actions to be taken should all be described in your own individualized Asthma Action Plan as prescribed by your doctor.