Early Warning Signals

Learning to recognize and treat early warning signals can lessen the severity or even prevent an asthma attack from even occurring.  Asthma, most frequently, proceeds slowly to more and more severity.  Early warning signals usually develop hours or even days before an acute episode, therefore, the term "asthma attack" is not correct.

In order to decrease the severity and number of acute asthma episodes, you have to learn to recognize your own warning signals.  When you experience acute asthma, try to remember what happened before the episode.  Write down what happened, and soon you will begin to see a pattern.

When you recognize that acute asthma is pending, follow your written asthma crisis management plan given to you by your  Asthma & Allergy Center  doctor.

Here are some possible early warning signals.  Circle the ones that you know are your early warning signs and add others if needed.

wheezing                                                pale

headache                                               vomiting

runny or stuffy nose                               excessive yawning

sneezing                                                 tight feeling in chest

stomach ache                                        feeling upset

itchy or watery eyes                              breathing faster

coughing                                                breathing becomes labored

itchy skin or hives                                  feeling spacey

feeling hot or cold                                  feeling nervous or restless

feeling closed in                                     feeling tired and weak

ears hurt                                                  sore throat

frequent nighttime awakenings             itchy, scratchy throat

a drop in peak flow meter readings <80% of best