Asthma symptoms are caused by narrowing of the airways, often provoked by asthma triggers, which are things in the environment that are breathed into the lungs.
Symptoms
Common asthma symptoms include:
- coughing (for some children and youth, this may be the only symptom)
- wheezing (a whistling sound made in the chest)
- trouble breathing
- shortness of breath
- chest tightness
Triggers
Common asthma triggers include:
- Allergens: Mould, pet dander, dust mites, or pollen
- Irritants: Odours from cleaning supplies, art materials (for example, paints and markers), strong scents, poor air quality due to inadequate ventilation, poor circulation, air pollution, and smoke or second-hand smoke (from tobacco or cannabis/vaping)
- Physical Activity: Activities such as Physical Education class, recess, or sports
- Viruses and Infections: Colds, flu, respiratory infections and other illnesses.
When children and youth with asthma are exposed to one of their triggers, three things may happen that narrow the airways making it difficult to breathe:
- Inflammation: The inside of the airways becomes red, swollen, or puffy.
- Extra mucus: Phlegm or sputum can build up and block the airways.
- Bronchospasm or Bronchoconstriction: The small muscles around the airways tighten or constrict.
Illustration of a normal airway, asthmatic airway, and an asthmatic airway during attack- Long Description
Each child and youth with asthma have their own set of triggers and will not always respond to them in the same way after an exposure. Additionally, their triggers can change over time.
