Table 3.

Symptom descriptors in African-Americans with asthma.

N = 35	Male	Female	Total
Symptom descriptors†
Breathing problems§	4	19	23
Chest tightness	7	10	17
Chest pain	4	8	12
Light headed (dizzy)	1	8	9
Wheezing	2	6	8
Sweat	1	7	8
Body pain	1	6	7
Severe cough	0	5	5
Throat pain	2	3	5
Shortness of breath§	3	1	4
Cannot walk	1	1	2
Phlegm	0	2	2
Tired	0	2	2
Uncomfortable	0	2	2
Allergies	0	1	1
Like a cold	0	1	1
Pressure	1	0	1
Sleep elevation	0	1	1
Wake-up at night	0	1	1
Throwing up	0	1	1
Scared	0	1	1
Sample probes: When you have an asthma attack how do you feel? What does an asthma attack feel like? What are some of your asthma symptoms?

^†Participants were allowed to give more than one symptom descriptor. Descriptors are colloquial as they are the actual words used by the participants.

^§“Breathing problems” and “shortness of breath” could not be further defined by the participants. Participants who reported one symptom denied that they had the other.