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Overview
Asthma narrows the airways.
Triggers include colds, allergies, and exercise.
When to get medical care
Call 911Severe trouble breathing, blue lips, or can't speak.
Get care todayInhaler not helping.
See a doctor soonOngoing night cough or wheeze.
Causes
Causes include asthma and allergies.
OwieClear has pages on 1 condition that can cause cough or wheeze at night, with exercise, or in cold air. Each shows how soon to get care.
Common causes
- AsthmaSee a doctor if it doesn't get better
The airways tighten and swell, causing wheezing, coughing (often at night or with exercise), and a tight chest.
What you can do at home
- Avoid triggers.
- Use inhalers as prescribed.
Medicines
Inhalers and controller medicines.
At the doctor
Breathing tests help.
Questions you may be asked
- Triggers
The exam
A lung exam.
Tests
- Spirometry
Prevention
Control triggers.
- Have an asthma action plan
Check your symptoms
Most symptoms have more than one possible cause. The symptom checker looks at all of your symptoms together, plus your age, and shows how soon to get care.
Sources
Last updated 2026-11-13.