How can I tell when my asthma is getting worse?

The following symptoms could indicate you are experiencing a flare-up in your asthma. Recognizing these symptoms will help you treat flare-ups, keeping you out of the hospital:

• cough more than 3 days per week

• wheeze more than 3 days per week

• chest tightness more than 3 days per week

• shortness of breath more than 3 days per week

• mucus more than 3 days per week

• night awakenings more than once a week

• having to stop exercise or activities due to breathing problems such as shortness of breath, cough, chest tightness or wheezing (continuous, coarse, whistling sound produced in the respiratory airways during breathing)

• use of reliever medication (e.g. Salbutamol) more than 3 days per week