The main signs of asthma are wheezing and shortness of breath. Since the airways are inflamed and obstructed, there is difficulty in breathing. Greater effort needs to be expended to intake the same volume of air as a healthy person. Dyspnea is thus a direct result and a strong symptom. The obstruction of the airways also exhibits as a continuous and coarse whistling sound while breathing and this is known as wheezing. Asthma often results in a persistent cough that becomes worse at night. 

Gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD is a condition where the stomach acids come up into the esophagus and cause mucosal damage. This condition is caused due to the changes in the barrier between the esophagus and stomach. Asthma and anti-asthma medications bring about a change in the thoracic pressures. This increases the abdominal pressure and lowers the esophageal sphincter which then facilitates the movement of gastric content into the esophagus. 

Fatigue is one of the common symptoms of asthma. But since it is also the common symptom in a host of other ailments, it has to be viewed along with other symptoms. The reduced capacity of the lungs implies that there is less oxygen available in the bloodstream. This, in turn, means that the various tissues, organs and muscles receive less oxygen. Their ability for aerobic respiration falls. Oxygen is a vital component of the energy release process and the lack of it translates into a lack of energy. An asthmatic patient, thus, gets tired very easily and requires rest between activities. 

The peak expiratory flow is a measure of the health of the lungs. It depends on how hard and fast a person is able to exhale and is measured through a small hand-held peak expiratory flow monitor which has a mouth piece and an indicator. The expiratory flow volume and force is directly proportional to the health of the lungs. Since the lung capacity is severely affected in case of asthma, there is a reduction in the peak expiratory flow also. This is a relative measure since it varies from person to person. But a fall in the expiratory flow definitely indicates some problem in the lungs which could be asthma. 

Chest pain is often a symptom of many dangerous diseases and disorders. Intrathoracic pressures will tend to collapse and this leads to tightness in the chest. It feels heavy and as if some load has been placed on it. This pressure in the chest also makes it hard to breathe. 

Asthma has the capacity to alter the structure and anatomy of the respiratory tract. Adipose deposition occurs in the upper airways, the skeletal morphology of the pharynx is changed and the pharyngeal airway is extended. All these lead to upper airway collapse. Cough becomes a persistent symptom that increases in the prostrate position. Thus, sleep is a luxury which an asthmatic patient is unable to afford. When improper sleep continues for days, it results in sleep disorders. 

There are many other less common symptoms. These symptoms cannot be gauged in isolation but along with the other symptoms of asthma. For one, allergy symptoms become worse in an asthma patient. Thus, if one is suffering from a runny nose, it becomes more intense. Dark circles get formed under the eyes. Sometimes, the skin becomes itchy and inflamed.