Asthma Attack

An asthma attack can be a frightening thing. They can range from mild to life-threatening. If you have ever experienced one, you know that they can be both disturbing and uncomfortable.

While asthma is typically a chronic medical condition, the actual symptoms of asthma may be experienced only from time to time. An asthma attack is actually the acute flare-up of asthma symptoms.

An asthma attack is usually triggered by something in the environment, such as breathing in pollens, cold air, dust, or perfumes. It can also be triggered by anxiety, stress, or exercise. The attack can come on very suddenly. Some asthma sufferers experience these attacks very rarely, while others may have attacks very frequently. Also, the frequency of attacks can vary for an individual.

When you have an asthma attack, the bronchial passages become irritated and inflamed or swollen. Excessive amounts of mucus are produced and line the airways. The muscles surrounding the airways start to tighten, creating a bronchospasm. The inflammation, tightening, and excess mucus make the passages narrower and as a result, you begin to experience difficulty breathing.

In an asthma attack, it is common to start wheezing and coughing. In an attempt to get more air you may start to breathe more rapidly. Your chest may begin to feel very tight and sometimes painful. Because it is so difficult to breathe, some people get scared and begin to panic, which unfortunately can make the attack even worse.

Asthma attacks can vary in severity. In a mild attack, there may be only some coughing and mild shortness of breath, and the airways return to normal fairly quickly after the use of an inhaler or other form of treatment. In a severe attack, breathing may be so difficult that the person is unable to talk, may become very sweaty and pale, and can start to turn blue due to the lack of oxygen getting into the blood.

While severe attacks are rarer, they can be fatal if the person does not get immediate medical treatment. Without treatment, the person will lose consciousness and may die.

It is important to recognize the beginning symptoms of an asthma attack. Consult with your doctor to determine the best way to treat your asthma in order to keep attacks to a minimum.