The airways swell and inflame during an asthma attack, also known as an asthma exacerbation. The breathing tubes (bronchial tubes) constrict due to the muscles around the airways contracting and producing additional mucus.
You could cough, wheeze, and have breathing difficulties during an episode. With quick at-home care, minor asthma attack symptoms improve. A life-threatening emergency might develop from a severe asthma episode that doesn’t go better with home care.
Early diagnosis and treatment of an asthma flare-up are essential to preventing an asthma attack. Observe the treatment regimen you developed in advance with your doctor. Your treatment plan should include what to do if your asthma worsens and how to handle an asthma attack that is already underway.
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of an asthma attack include:
- severe breathlessness, stiffness or discomfort in the chest, and coughing or wheezing
- Utilizing a peak flow meter will give you low peak expiratory flow (PEF) numbers.
- Symptoms that do not improve after using a rescue (quick-acting) inhaler
A person’s specific asthma attack symptoms and signs may differ. Work with your doctor to pinpoint your asthma symptoms and indicators and what to do if they materialize.
You could need emergency care if your asthma symptoms don’t get better or worsen after taking your medicine as prescribed by your doctor. Your doctor can teach you how to spot an asthma emergency so you’ll know when to get medical attention.
Whenever I see a doctor
Follow the treatment procedures specified in your written asthma plan as soon as your asthma flares up, as determined by your doctor and you. Home therapy can be sufficient if your symptoms and peak expiratory flow (PEF) values improve. You could require emergency attention if your symptoms don’t go away after trying home remedies.
Follow the directions on your written asthma plan for using your quick-acting (rescue) inhaler when your asthma symptoms flare up. PEF values between 51% and 79% of your best indicate that you should take the quick-acting (rescue) drugs your doctor has recommended.
Consult your doctor about asthma management measures.
To keep everyday symptoms under control, you’ll need to periodically modify your treatment strategy since asthma might alter over time. You’re more likely to have an asthma attack if your asthma isn’t controlled. Your asthma may flare up at any moment if you still have persistent lung inflammation.
Attend every planned visit with the doctor. Make an appointment to visit your doctor if you have frequent asthma attacks, low peak flow measurements, or any other symptoms that your asthma is not well managed.
The right time to seek emergency medical care
Get medical assistance immediately if you experience any of the following warning signs or symptoms of a significant asthma attack.
- severe wheezing or dyspnea, particularly at night or in the morning
- being unable to talk for more than a few words at a time owing to shortness of breath
- having to breathe with your chest muscles working hard
- Peak flow meters that provide inaccurate results when used
- After taking a rescue (quick-acting) inhaler, there was no improvement.
Causes
When exposed to specific triggers, a susceptible immune system causes your airways (bronchial tubes) to swell and inflame. Each individual has different asthma triggers. Common causes of asthma attacks include:
- Pets, mould, pollen, and dust mites
- upper respiratory illnesses
- cigarette smoke
- breathing in brisk, dry air
- Disease of the stomach and esophagus (GERD)
- Stress
Many patients find that respiratory illnesses like the common cold worsen their asthma symptoms. Some individuals have asthma flare-ups as a result of anything at work. Sometimes, an asthma episode seems to have no apparent reason.
Risk elements
Anyone with asthma is susceptible to having an asthma attack. You may be more vulnerable to a severe asthma attack if:
- You’ve previously had a severe asthma attack.
- You’ve had asthma-related hospital admissions or ER visits in the past
- You’ve had asthma attacks in the past and needed to be intubated.
- You use more than two rescue (quick-acting) inhalers each month.
- Before you discover that your symptoms have worsened, your asthma attacks often occur suddenly.
You suffer from cardiovascular illness, chronic pulmonary disease, sinusitis, nasal polyps, or other long-term medical issues.
Complications
A major asthma attack may occur. People can:
- It disrupts routine activities, including sleep, study, work, and exercise, which negatively influences your quality of life and may disturb people around you.
- Send you to the ER, which may be expensive and distressing.
- Cause death by respiratory arrest.
Prevention
The best method to prevent an asthma attack is to ensure that your asthma is initially controlled. This entails tracking your symptoms and adjusting your medication according to a documented asthma strategy.
Even while you may not be able to remove your chance of having an asthma attack, if your current medication controls your asthma, you’re less likely to have one. As directed in your detailed asthma action plan, take your inhaled medicines.
These preventative drugs treat the airway inflammation that results in asthma symptoms and signs. When used regularly, these drugs may lessen or completely stop asthma attacks and the need for quick-acting inhalers.
If you adhere to your asthma action plan but continue to have frequent or troublesome symptoms or low peak flow values, see your doctor. These are indications that your asthma is not under reasonable control, and you should work with your doctor to modify your medication.
Watch your lung function and symptoms, and alter your therapy to prevent an asthma attack if your symptoms worsen while you have a cold or the flu. When exercising outside in cold weather, use a face mask and minimize exposure to allergy triggers.