Physical exam

Your healthcare professional may:

• Examine your nose, throat and upper airways.
• Use a stethoscope to listen to your breathing. Wheezing — high-pitched whistling sounds when you breathe out — is one of the main signs of asthma.
• Examine your skin for signs of allergic conditions such as eczema and hives.

Your healthcare professional will want to know whether you have common symptoms of asthma, such as:

• Recurrent wheezing.
• Coughing.
• Trouble breathing.
• Chest tightness.
• Symptoms that occur or worsen at night.
• Symptoms that are triggered by cold air, exercise or exposure to allergens.

Asthma symptoms in children

In children, additional symptoms may signal asthma. These may include:

• Louder or faster than usual breathing.
• Frequent coughing or coughing that worsens after active play.
• Coughing, clear mucus and a runny nose caused by hay fever.
• Frequent missed school days.
• Limited participation in physical activities.