What’s an Asthma Attack All About?

Asthma is an increasingly common health condition in modern society. No doubt you’ve heard about it. But unless you actually suffer from the problem, you might not know what actually transpires during an asthma attack. If you suspect you have asthma, or just want to know more about it, here’s some important information.

There are several typical symptoms of an asthma attack. These include coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. This is a severe condition, and can be fatal if you don’t learn to manage it.

So what is it that sets off an attack of asthma? It can vary depending on the individual. Some of the most common triggers are allergens such as dust, pollution, pollen, cigarette smoke and perfume. Indeed, allergies and asthma often go hand in hand. Things like a change in the atmospheric pressure, cold air, exercise or a common cold virus can also trigger asthma symptoms.

The site of an asthma attack is the airways leading to the lungs. The opening and closing of your airways are controlled by a specific muscle. You don’t have any control over this muscle; it’s totally automatic. However, it can be caused to tighten by certain irritants or external conditions, as mentioned earlier. When you have an asthma condition, the muscle reacts disproportionately to the the triggers, thereby causing an attack.

When the muscle tightens, the airway narrows. As well, a build up of mucus takes place, and at the same time the lining becomes inflamed and starts to swell. Normally, mucus in the airways is perfectly natural since it assists in the movement of air into the lungs. However, during an asthma attack, mucus production increases considerably, and it clogs the airway.

This sticky mucus makes it very difficult to breathe. The asthma attack won’t end until the mucus is cleared away. That’s why it’s so important to treat your symptoms immediately with a prescribed medication.

Sometimes an attack will last just a few minutes. However, a severe attack can last for hours or even days. There will be intervals where you might not experience any symptoms, but they will soon return if you don’t receive the proper medication.

It’s important to check with your doctor right away if you think you have asthma. Tests will be run in order to make an accurate diagnosis. They will also try to pinpoint the cause of your attacks. Once you know what your triggers are, it’s essential that you avoid them as much as possible. You’ll need to work closely with your doctor and follow the prescribed asthma treatment if you want to prevent future attacks. The attacks can be deadly, so don’t ignore your symptoms.

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