Some people develop asthma complications due to:
- side effects from the medications they take
- long-term inflammation from asthma
- other asthma effects, such as difficulty breathing and fatigue
Asthma complications can be short- or long-term. Some of them may be life threatening. However, early and effective asthma treatment can help prevent serious complications and manage them if they do develop.
Read on to learn more about asthma complications, including symptoms to look out for and what to do.
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Doctors use various measures to assess your asthma’s severity. One of these measures is whether your symptoms wake you from sleep.
With severe asthma in older children and adults, symptoms may wake you up seven or more times per week. Children under 5 years old with severe asthma may wake up at least once a week due to their symptoms.
You may also experience:
- difficulty falling or staying asleep
- waking up too early
- daytime fatigue
Learn the best sleeping positions and other ways to improve sleep with asthma.
Asthma can disrupt sleep for many reasons, including:
- increasing your risk of obstructive sleep apnea and other sleep disorders
- causing symptoms like:
- excess mucus
- congestion
- coughing
- wheezing
Read more about why asthma worsens during sleep.
2. Limits on physical activity
Breathing difficulties can make physical activity more challenging. Some people may have exercise-induced asthma. This is when they only have asthma symptoms during physical activity.
However, low levels of physical activity can increase your risk of other health conditions, including:
- cardiovascular disease
- obesity
- diabetes
- osteoporosis
- depression
Talk with your doctor for advice about being physically active if you have asthma.
Learn more about asthma and its treatment options.
3. Medication side effects
Corticosteroid medications are a common asthma treatment. However, corticosteroids like budesonide or fluticasone can lead to side effects such as:
- oral thrush, which is a fungal infection in the mouth that can develop from inhaled corticosteroids
- headache
- irritation to your throat, nose, or mouth
- toothache
- acid reflux
- upset stomach
- back pain
- insomnia
However, side effects can depend on the exact corticosteroid you take and how you take it, such as in an inhaler or swallowable pills.
Some research suggests that long-term use of corticosteroids for asthma could link to a higher risk of conditions such as:
- respiratory infections
- bone fractures
- diabetes
- eye disorders
However, the evidence is mixed. Experts are still trying to confirm how much people with asthma are at risk of these effects.
Read more about common asthma medications.
An asthma attack can lead to pneumothorax (collapsed lung).
Pneumothorax is when air leaks into the space between your lung and chest wall. This air leakage can put pressure on your lung, meaning it cannot expand properly as you breathe.
Call 911 or your local emergency services for any symptoms of pneumothorax, including:
- chest pain that may feel sharp and severe
- chest pain that radiates toward your shoulder
- shortness of breath
- rapid breathing or heart rate
- lightheadedness
- cyanosis, which is blue, purple, or gray-white discoloration of your:
- lips, tongue, or gums
- ears
- fingers or toes
- nails
Learn more about the treatment and outlook of a collapsed lung.
Chronic inflammation as a result of asthma can cause airway remodeling. Airway remodeling refers to structural changes in the airways.
Structural changes due to airway remodeling and asthma can include:
- a thicker bronchial wall
- bronchiectasis, which is when the bronchial tubes widen and lose their ability to clear mucus
- narrowed air passages
- fibrosis or scarring in the respiratory system
These changes may make it more difficult to breathe. Some airway remodeling is permanent.
Researchers continue to study airway remodeling, including its development and best treatment options.
Sometimes, having asthma can lead to a more severe reaction to respiratory infections.
For example, in people with asthma, the flu may:
- trigger asthma attacks
- worsen asthma symptoms
- increase the risk of pneumonia
- increase the likelihood of needing hospital care
Read more about pneumonia risk factors and treatment and preventing the flu.
Respiratory failure is when you have difficulty breathing on your own. It is a medical emergency.
In respiratory failure, your lungs can’t get enough oxygen into your blood or can’t remove enough carbon dioxide from your blood.
Respiratory failure can develop quickly or slowly, causing symptoms such as:
- extreme tiredness, which in turn causes difficulty with daily activities and self-care
- shortness of breath
- rapid or shallow breathing
- feeling like you can’t get enough air
- blurry vision
- confusion, drowsiness, or other changes in mental status
- headaches
- cyanosis
Without quick diagnosis and treatment, respiratory failure is life threatening. Call 911 for any possible symptoms of respiratory failure.
Read more about treatment for respiratory failure.
Status asthmaticus is a medical emergency. It is when an asthma attack doesn’t respond well to standard treatments. It can be fatal without quick and effective care, as it may lead to respiratory failure.
Hospital treatment for status asthmaticus can include:
- supplemental oxygen
- corticosteroid medications
- inhaled medications
- sometimes, mechanical ventilation
Call 911 if your asthma treatment does not improve your symptoms within 15 minutes.
See more about status asthmaticus risk factors and treatment.
9. Mental health conditions
People with asthma have a higher risk of experiencing mental health conditions and issues like:
Read advice for talking with a doctor about depression and mental health.
Experts also suggest that mental health symptoms and strong emotions, like stress or anger, may trigger asthma.
If you have asthma and experience new or persistent mental health symptoms, talk with your medical team for support. Also talk with your medical team if you think mental and emotional factors could play a role in your symptoms.
Learn more about the symptoms of depression and anxiety.
10. Complications in children
Adults and children often share the same asthma symptoms, triggers, and complications.
However, asthma sometimes causes complications that just affect children, such as:
In addition, a common cold triggering an asthma attack is more common in children than in adults.
Asthma may have other effects on your life, such as:
- emergency room visits and hospitalization
- more frequent sick days
- fatigue and tiredness
- lower performance at school or work due to your symptoms
If you feel like your asthma is significantly affecting your life, talk with your doctor. They can provide the help you need or refer you to another medical professional for further support.
Your medical center may can also recommend local resources, such as low cost care and support groups.
When asthma responds well to treatment, it usually doesn’t interfere with daily life or cause severe complications.
However, in some cases, asthma may lead to complications such as:
- sleep problems
- mental health conditions
- pneumonia
- permanent changes in your airways
- respiratory failure
- status asthmaticus
- medication side effects
- growth delays
Some of these complications are medical emergencies, as they can be life threatening.
Contact your doctor promptly if you have asthma and notice persistent symptoms. If you have severe or concerning symptoms, call 911. Quick treatment can help minimize complications and risks to your health.