According to the MedlinePlus, asthma is a chronic disease that causes inflammation of the lung airways, which can lead to severe constriction and difficulty with breathing. The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute reports that there are over 22 million people in the United States living with asthma, with almost 25 percent being children. While asthma cannot be cured, there are treatments which can provide relief.
Wheezing
One of the major asthma effects seen in every patient is wheezing. MedlinePlus describes wheezing as being a high-pitched whistling sound that occurs during the process of breathing. This high-pitched whistling sound is more pronounced when the patient is breathing out, but may also be heard when inhaling. It occurs due to the narrowing of the bronchial tubes.
Coughing
Harvard Medical School lists cough as an asthma effect. A cough is a reflex action by the body in an attempt to get rid of any foreign agents that may be in the airways, such as dust and smoke. During an allergic reaction, the body initiates coughing to try and expel the foreign body from the airways.
Shortness of Breath
Shortness of breath is one of the asthma effects listed by Harvard Medical School as always present in patients suffering from asthma. This occurs because the constricted airways do not allow for adequate inhalation of oxygen. Shortness of breath, or dyspnea, can best be described as a feeling of inadequate oxygenation, despite inhaling as deeply as possible.
Other Effects
According to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, having to undergo asthma treatments can affect a child's attendance at school. Asthma can also affect a child's ability to participate in physical education classes, unless medication is administered before and after the exercise. Asthma medications can also cause some side effects, notes Drugs.com, including interfering with sleeping, increased heart rates, loss of appetite and anxiety.
