Answer
Early warning signs of asthma are asthma symptoms. Many people dissociate the two, but it's important to realize the full spectrum of asthma signs and symptoms to act as early as possible.
Cough is a common early sign. Cough is a reflex to protect the airways by expelling the trigger. The problem with asthma is that the airways themselves are the "problem."
A late asthma symptom is wheezing. Wheezing is a sign of airway narrowing and bronchoconstriction - when the airways begin to close down from muscular contraction. Bronchostriction and airway inflammation narrow the airways and make it difficult for air to pass. Airway narrowing can lead to shortness of breath and difficulty breathing. When the chest has to work harder to pull air against these narrowed airways, it enlists additional muscle groups that can be seen in the form of retractions between ribs, below the last rib and at the sternal notch.
There is also increased mucus production with asthma inflammation in the airways that can plug airways and cause respiratory distress. Sometimes, asthma signs and symptoms can be mistaken for infection or pneumonia.
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