Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPreventionFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention
Frequently Asked Questions
Asthmais a lung condition in which the airways become inflamed and narrowed. This narrowing restricts the amount of air that can move through thebronchiolesand usually causes distinct breathing sounds such aswheezingand coughing.
In silent asthma, no wheezing or coughing is present. This may be a variation in asthma symptoms,or it could be a phenomenon that healthcare providers sometimes refer to as the “silent chest.” Silent chest can be associated with severe forms of asthma, includingstatus asthmaticusand fatal asthma.
This article discusses the causes of silent asthma as well as symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
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Silent Asthma Symptoms
Silent asthma symptoms are similar to those of regular asthma, with the absence of coughing or wheezing. Symptoms may include:
Severe symptoms that require immediate medical attention may include:
A specific cause of asthma cannot always be identified. However, there are some knownrisk factorsfor the development of asthma:
However, at some point, almost everyone with asthma will experience wheezing and coughing, even if you don’t experience the more audible symptoms all the time.
One reason you may not have wheezing or coughing is that your airways have not tightened so much as to restrict air movement through your bronchioles, or at least not enough to produce these characteristic breathing noises.
It’s also possible that you are wheezing, but it is so faint that it’s difficult to hear. Not everyone with asthma experiences the same symptoms, and your symptoms may vary depending on the day and circumstance.
Status Asthmaticus and Silent ChestStatus asthmaticus is a severe form of asthma that doesn’t respond well to typical treatments.An individual with status asthmaticus can experience such a severe asthma attack that it leads to silent chest. Silent chest is the absence of wheezing and coughing due to fatigue and inability to move any air through severely constricted bronchioles. Silent chest usually precedes respiratory failure and is a life-threatening medical emergency.
Status Asthmaticus and Silent Chest
Status asthmaticus is a severe form of asthma that doesn’t respond well to typical treatments.An individual with status asthmaticus can experience such a severe asthma attack that it leads to silent chest. Silent chest is the absence of wheezing and coughing due to fatigue and inability to move any air through severely constricted bronchioles. Silent chest usually precedes respiratory failure and is a life-threatening medical emergency.
If your healthcare provider suspects asthma based on your symptoms, physical examination, and medical history, they might order one or more of the following tests to confirm thediagnosis:
There are several differ treatment options for asthma, including medication, procedures, and avoiding triggers.
Triggers
Triggers are anything that brings on asthma symptoms. Identifying and avoiding asthma triggers can be an important part of your treatment plan.
Potential asthma triggers include:
Managing Asthma Flare-Ups
Medications
Long-acting or maintenance medications for asthma work to prevent asthma attacks. These include:
Short-acting or rescue medications for asthma relieve the symptoms of an acute asthma attack. They include:
How Asthma Is Treated
Bronchothermoplasty
Bronchothermoplastyis a procedure used to treat severe asthma that cannot be controlled with other treatments. It involves using abronchoscopeto apply heat to the muscles of the bronchioles, which thins and weakens the muscles, making it more difficult for them to constrict during an asthma attack.
Asthma Action PlanAnother name for your treatment regimen is an asthma action plan. An asthma action plan is a plan you develop with your healthcare provider that outlines how to prevent and treat asthma symptoms. It should clearly define what medications you should use and when, as well as when you need to seek professional medical help, including when to call 911.
Asthma Action Plan
Another name for your treatment regimen is an asthma action plan. An asthma action plan is a plan you develop with your healthcare provider that outlines how to prevent and treat asthma symptoms. It should clearly define what medications you should use and when, as well as when you need to seek professional medical help, including when to call 911.
Preventing Asthma Attacks
The best way to prevent asthma attacks is to stick to your asthma action plan. In particular, make sure to use your long-acting asthma medications on time and as prescribed, and identify and avoid triggers.
Summary
If you suspect silent chest, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.
A Word From Verywell
Silent asthma can be a particularly frightening condition because the lack of obvious symptoms makes it more difficult to diagnose. While there is no cure for asthma, symptoms can be managed once a diagnosis is made. The best way to manage the condition is to create an asthma action plan with a qualified healthcare provider and stick to it.
Frequently Asked QuestionsYes, it is possible to have asthma without knowing it, especially if your symptoms are mild or atypical. If you suspect asthma or any kind of respiratory condition, you should consult a healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis.The symptoms of asthma can mimic many other health conditions includingCOPD,GERD, respiratory infections, sarcoidosis,pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary embolism, bronchiectasis, eosinophilic bronchitis, andallergic rhinitisto name a few.Silent asthma may feel like a tightening of your chest, shortness of breath, and difficulty speaking. You may also feel anxious and unable to hold still.
Yes, it is possible to have asthma without knowing it, especially if your symptoms are mild or atypical. If you suspect asthma or any kind of respiratory condition, you should consult a healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis.
The symptoms of asthma can mimic many other health conditions includingCOPD,GERD, respiratory infections, sarcoidosis,pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary embolism, bronchiectasis, eosinophilic bronchitis, andallergic rhinitisto name a few.
Silent asthma may feel like a tightening of your chest, shortness of breath, and difficulty speaking. You may also feel anxious and unable to hold still.
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Guo H, Zhao Q, Li SY, et al.Successful treatment of fatal asthma combined with a silent chest: a case report.J Int Med Res. 2020;48(5):300060520925683. doi:10.1177/0300060520925683Asthma.net.Silent asthma: what you need to know.American Lung Association.Asthma risk factors.Kenyon N, Zeki AA, Albertson TE, Louie S.Definition of critical asthma syndromes.Clinic Rev Allerg Immunol. 2015;48(1):1-6. doi:10.1007/s12016-013-8395-6National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Asthma diagnosis.National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Asthma treatment and action plan.Kavanagh J, Jackson DJ, Kent BD.Over- and under-diagnosis in asthma.Breathe. 2019;15(1):e20-e27. doi:10.1183/20734735.0362-2018
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Guo H, Zhao Q, Li SY, et al.Successful treatment of fatal asthma combined with a silent chest: a case report.J Int Med Res. 2020;48(5):300060520925683. doi:10.1177/0300060520925683Asthma.net.Silent asthma: what you need to know.American Lung Association.Asthma risk factors.Kenyon N, Zeki AA, Albertson TE, Louie S.Definition of critical asthma syndromes.Clinic Rev Allerg Immunol. 2015;48(1):1-6. doi:10.1007/s12016-013-8395-6National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Asthma diagnosis.National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Asthma treatment and action plan.Kavanagh J, Jackson DJ, Kent BD.Over- and under-diagnosis in asthma.Breathe. 2019;15(1):e20-e27. doi:10.1183/20734735.0362-2018
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Guo H, Zhao Q, Li SY, et al.Successful treatment of fatal asthma combined with a silent chest: a case report.J Int Med Res. 2020;48(5):300060520925683. doi:10.1177/0300060520925683Asthma.net.Silent asthma: what you need to know.American Lung Association.Asthma risk factors.Kenyon N, Zeki AA, Albertson TE, Louie S.Definition of critical asthma syndromes.Clinic Rev Allerg Immunol. 2015;48(1):1-6. doi:10.1007/s12016-013-8395-6National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Asthma diagnosis.National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Asthma treatment and action plan.Kavanagh J, Jackson DJ, Kent BD.Over- and under-diagnosis in asthma.Breathe. 2019;15(1):e20-e27. doi:10.1183/20734735.0362-2018
Guo H, Zhao Q, Li SY, et al.Successful treatment of fatal asthma combined with a silent chest: a case report.J Int Med Res. 2020;48(5):300060520925683. doi:10.1177/0300060520925683
Asthma.net.Silent asthma: what you need to know.
American Lung Association.Asthma risk factors.
Kenyon N, Zeki AA, Albertson TE, Louie S.Definition of critical asthma syndromes.Clinic Rev Allerg Immunol. 2015;48(1):1-6. doi:10.1007/s12016-013-8395-6
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Asthma diagnosis.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Asthma treatment and action plan.
Kavanagh J, Jackson DJ, Kent BD.Over- and under-diagnosis in asthma.Breathe. 2019;15(1):e20-e27. doi:10.1183/20734735.0362-2018
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