Do you know that asthma is a major non-communicable disease that affects both children and adults? According to the World Health Organization (WHO), asthma affected an estimated 262 million people worldwide in 2019 and caused 455,000 deaths.¹ Asthma is a chronic lung condition that affects the airways that carry air in and out of your lungs, making it difficult for breathing to take place.² Some of the most common symptoms of asthma include wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, and chest tightening.³ However, these are not the only ones as there are times you may experience some other symptoms that are subtle or unusual. In this article, we’ll explore some unusual asthma symptoms there are and why it’s important to pay attention to them. 

Quick overview of common asthma symptoms 

Before we delve into the details of the unusual symptoms, let’s briefly go through the common asthma symptoms you may already know about. These include:

1. Wheezing: a high-pitched whistling sound that occurs when you breathe out.
2. Coughing: especially at night and early in the morning.
3. Chest tightness: a feeling of sudden pressure or squeezing in the chest area.
4. Shortness of breath: having difficulty breathing, especially during physical activity.

While these are the more obvious symptoms of asthma, not everyone with the condition experiences them. In fact, due to the non-specific nature of this condition, it’s not easy to diagnose - as many asthmatic people may only show less typical signs.³

Unusual asthma symptoms

Whilst you may associate asthma with the four common symptoms listed above, there are several uncommon asthma symptoms that you may not even think of. They are explained below:

Consistent cough without wheezing

Coughing is a common symptom of asthma. However, some people cough persistently without wheezing or shortness of breath. This consistent cough can sometimes be mistaken for a cold, flu, or other infections. Known as cough-variant asthma, this type of asthma can be a bit tricky to diagnose. This is because it only causes cough symptoms, with nothing else attached to it.⁴

Difficulty sleeping

Asthma symptoms tend to worsen at night, a condition known as nocturnal asthma.⁵ This can lead to difficulty staying or falling asleep due to coughing, shortness of breath, and chest tightening. 

If you find it difficult to sleep or keep finding yourself waking up earlier than normal, it could be a sign of asthma. Don’t hesitate to seek medical attention.

Sighing

Sighing has long been associated with stress and anxiety. However, you may be surprised to learn that it’s also an uncommon symptom of asthma. Individuals with asthma may sigh more frequently than normal because they can’t inhale enough air into their lungs. In these cases, the body may initiate sighing in an effort to expand the lung capacity and make up for the decreased airflow.⁶

Itchy face and throat

Another unusual asthma symptom is an itchy face and throat, especially if your asthma is linked to allergic reactions. It’s an uncommon, but possible symptom if you’re prone to allergies.

Asthma and allergies are closely related, and both can be triggered by environmental allergens like pollen, mould, dust mites, and cockroaches, to name a few. Foods, such as nuts and milk, can also trigger allergic asthma reactions in some people.

Research has recognized that itchiness in the lower face is associated with asthmatic attacks.

If you notice that your asthma can be triggered by allergies, you should ensure you stay away from anything that can cause a reaction.

Rapid fatigue

Do you lack energy and tyre easily, especially when you engage in mild physical activity? It could be an unusual asthma symptom. Asthma reduces airflow to the body, meaning that your muscles and tissues don’t get enough oxygen to function properly. Also, due to the fact that many asthma patients find it difficult to sleep through the night, they may lack the energy needed to complete their daily activities. Previous research has highlighted the prevalence of fatigue in asthma patients.⁷

Anxiety

People with asthma are at increased risk of developing mental disorders like anxiety and depression.⁸  The inability of an asthmatic patient to breathe can trigger anxiety and panic attacks which can make asthma symptoms worse. Also, there can be a confusing overlap between asthma and anxiety/panic attacks due to the rapid heartbeat, tightness in the chest, and shallow breathing that panic attacks cause. When you notice you get anxious frequently, don’t hesitate to go see your healthcare provider.

Difficulty exercising

Exercise can be a challenging activity for many people. However, for asthmatic individuals, exercise can cause symptoms that go beyond shortness of breath. If you have exercise-induced asthma, it becomes difficult for you to engage in some exercise you were once used to. 

If you or someone you know experiences difficulty breathing or discomfort during physical activity, it could be an underlying symptom of asthma. 

Why unusual asthma symptoms are often missed

Asthma is a heterogeneous condition (meaning it causes a range of causes, symptoms, and severity) that can be difficult to diagnose due to its varied and sometimes unusual symptoms.⁹ Furthermore, the symptoms of asthma can overlap with those of other health issues, such as allergies, acid reflux, or anxiety disorders. This overlap can make it harder to pinpoint asthma as the underlying cause.

A lack of awareness can also explain why unusual asthma symptoms are overlooked. This is because we typically associate asthma with wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightening, and cough, making other symptoms explained above overlooked by patients and healthcare providers. 

Summary  

Asthma can manifest in various ways beyond the normal symptoms of coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightening. Some of the unusual asthma symptoms often overlooked include consistent cough without wheezing, sleeping difficulty, sighing, rapid fatigue, itchy face and throat, anxiety, and difficulty exercising. 

If you or someone you know is experiencing unusual symptoms as such, it’s important to keep track of them. Consult your doctor or medical personnel for proper diagnoses, so you don’t think it’s one of those flu or cold symptoms. Early diagnosis helps ensure that proper measures and management practices are activated. This will help reduce the probability of your asthma getting worse. 

FAQs

What is silent asthma?

Silent asthma is an asthma you’re not conscious of. It doesn’t cause any visible symptoms, like wheezing or coughing.

How do you know when asthma is serious?

You can tell that asthma is serious when it becomes extremely difficult for you to breathe, your reliever/inhaler no longer helps, and you can’t stop coughing.

Can asthma go away?

Asthma doesn’t go away permanently. However, there are management strategies that can be put in place to relieve you of the symptoms.

What conditions can be mistaken for asthma?

Some conditions are likely to be misdiagnosed as asthma due to their similar signs and symptoms. Some of these conditions are:

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• Inducible laryngeal obstruction
• Cardiac failure
• Vocal cord dysfunction
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease
• Cystic fibrosis (in children)
• Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (in children)

What are some common physical effects of asthma?

Some common physical effects of asthma include coughing, chest tightness, fast breathing, shortness of breath, wheezing, and inability to get quality sleep due to cough and wheezing.

How do you know if you have asthma or another respiratory condition?

There's a possibility of other conditions being misdiagnosed as asthma. That’s why you need to go to your doctor for a proper diagnosis. They may do a lung test or examine your medical history to know if you have other underlying conditions that may be disguised as asthma.

Can asthma be transmitted?

Asthma can’t be transferred from one person to another, as it’s a non-communicable disease.

What organ is mostly affected by asthma?

Asthma is a chronic non-communicable disease that affects the airways in your lungs, hindering airflow through them.