What Happens During An Asthma Attack?

1. What Happens During An Asthma Attack? An attack of asthma can be a frightening experience. It can feel as if there is a cloud in your lungs or someone is sitting on your chest. You try hard to draw in a full breath. Your chest constricts. Your breathing accelerates. It feels, as one patient of asthma said, “Like you are drowning in air.” Asthma is a blockage and inflammation of the bronchial tubes. Bronchial tubes are basically the airways that permit air to enter and leave the lungs. During an attack of asthma, the muscles that surround the bronchial tubes tighten, shortening the air passages and making it troublesome to breathe. The span of an asthma attack can change, depending on how long the passages have been inflamed and what caused it. Moderate episodes may last only a few minutes. The attacks that are severe can last from hours to days. Moderate attacks can resolve instinctively or may require medication, typically an inhaler that works fast. More severe asthma attacks can be decreased with accurate asthma attack treatment. SYMPTOMS OF AN ASTHMA ATTACK There are a number of symptoms of an asthma attack which may include severe wheezing when breathing both in and out, rapid breathing, coughing, chest pressure or tightness, difficulty in talking, tightened muscles of neck and chest muscles, feelings of panic or anxiety or panic, blue fingernails or lips, pale and sweaty face, etc.

2. CAUSES OF AN ASTHMA ATTACK An attack of asthma can be stimulated by an exposure to an allergen, such as grass, tree, or weed pollen, cockroaches, dust mites, or animal dander. Other common causes are strong odors, such as perfumes, and irritants in the air, such as, chemical fumes or smoke. Certain arduous exercise, strong emotions that alter patterns of normal breathing, and extreme weather conditions may also cause an asthma attack, as can ailments, such as, sinusitis, flu, or even a moderate upper respiratory infection. TREATMENT OF AN ASTHMA ATTACK In general, it is crucial to stay calm and use the medications your pulmonologist has prescribed. An updated action plan of an asthma attack filled out by your pulmonologist should always be available to help guide asthma attack treatment when symptoms occur. Medications that give instant relief, often given through an inhaler are used for asthma attack treatment as required. They include anticholinergic bronchodilators which relax the constricted muscles of airway and short-acting, rapid-onset beta2-agonist. If symptoms continue to occur or progress, then systemic corticosteroids may be necessary which reduce inflammation of the airway. If symptoms continue to occur, see your pulmonologist. Seek medical treatment without any delay, if shortness of breath or coughing persists or seems to aggravate. If you are looking for Online Consultation, Visit Ask Apollo to book full body Health checkup packages instantly and conveniently.

3. PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF AN ASTHMA ATTACK You will always have an asthma attack since it is a chronic syndrome. However, a neat thing about asthma is acute episodes of asthma are either partially or completely reversible with asthma treatment. By working with your pulmonologist to develop a program of asthma management tailored specifically to your individual requirements, they may also be prevented, or at least made less severe. When you observe signs and symptoms that are early, acute, or severe, it is also a good idea to work with your pulmonologist to develop an asthma action plan to help you decide what actions to take.