Asthma Attack – Symptoms and Causes

Overview

An asthma attack occurs when asthma symptoms suddenly get worse. During an attack, the airways in the lungs narrow significantly, making breathing difficult.

People experiencing an asthma attack may have several uncomfortable symptoms:

• Wheezing (a whistling sound when breathing)
• Persistent coughing
• Chest tightness
• Difficulty breathing
• Shortness of breath

These symptoms appear because three main changes happen in the airways:

1. Muscle Tightening: Muscles around the airways squeeze tightly.
2. Inflammation: The airway lining becomes swollen and irritated.
3. Mucus Production: Extra fluid builds up in the airways.

People with diagnosed asthma typically have an action plan that outlines which medications to take during an attack and when to seek emergency help. Those without a diagnosis or plan should get medical care if they experience these symptoms.

When someone has frequent asthma attacks, it signals their condition isn’t well-controlled. Healthcare providers may need to adjust medications or treatment plans. Asthma attacks are sometimes called asthma exacerbations or flare-ups.

Signs of Asthma

Asthma attacks can cause several noticeable symptoms. You might experience shortness of breath, chest tightness or pain, coughing, and wheezing.

When asthma becomes more severe, additional symptoms may appear:

• Gasping for breath
• Trouble speaking due to breathing difficulties
• Straining chest muscles while breathing
• Worsening symptoms when lying down
• Heavy sweating

A peak flow meter can help track your breathing capacity at home. This device measures how quickly you can push air out of your lungs. Readings below 80% of your personal best may signal an asthma attack.

When to Get Medical Help

Your asthma action plan uses a color system to guide treatment decisions:

Green Zone (Feeling Well)

• No symptoms present
• Take regular control medications as prescribed
• Use quick-relief inhaler before exercise if needed
• Peak flow readings: 80% or higher of your personal best

Yellow Zone (Mild Symptoms)

• Follow instructions for quick-relief inhaler use
• Call your healthcare provider if symptoms don’t improve
• Peak flow readings: 50-79% of your personal best

Red Zone (Severe Symptoms)

• Seek emergency care immediately
• Symptoms worsen or don’t improve with quick-relief medicine
• Peak flow readings: below 50% of your personal best

If you don’t have an action plan and your rescue inhaler isn’t helping, get emergency care right away.

Regular Check-ups for Better Control

It’s essential to keep scheduled appointments with your healthcare provider. Regular check-ups help track your asthma management:

1. If your asthma is well-controlled, your doctor might lower your medication doses
2. If you’re using your rescue inhaler too frequently, your treatment plan may need adjustment
3. Changes might include trying new medications or adjusting current doses

Causes

Asthma is typically a chronic condition that causes inflammation in the lungs due to an overactive immune system. This inflammation leads to tightened muscles around airways, swollen airway tissues, and excess mucus production, making breathing difficult.

Several factors can trigger asthma attacks:

• Allergens: Pollen, pet dander, mold, cockroaches, and dust mites.
• Respiratory Infections: Common colds, flu, and other throat or respiratory illnesses.
• Environmental Factors: Tobacco smoke, cold or dry air, air pollution, and irritating chemicals.
• Physical Activity: Exercise-induced symptoms.
• Medical Conditions: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) that pushes stomach acid into the esophagus.
• Medications: Some pain relievers (aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) and certain other medications.
• Emotional states: Depression and anxiety can sometimes trigger these symptoms.

These triggers activate the immune system, which responds by causing further inflammation and airway constriction, resulting in asthma symptoms.

Risk Factors

Several factors can raise your chance of having an asthma attack:

• Poor allergy control
• Environmental trigger exposure
• Skipping daily asthma medications
• Using inhalers incorrectly
• Chronic depression or anxiety
• Other health conditions like heart disease or diabetes

Complications

Asthma attacks can negatively impact daily life in many ways. People with asthma may experience:

• School or work absences
• Multiple emergency room visits
• Disrupted sleep patterns
• Limited ability to exercise or join recreational activities

The most serious complication is death from severe asthma attacks. People face higher risks of life-threatening attacks if they:

• Regularly need quick-relief medications
• Have a history of emergency care for asthma
• Live with additional chronic health conditions

These complications affect not just physical health but overall wellbeing and ability to participate in normal activities.

Prevention

Following your asthma action plan is key to preventing attacks. Take your long-term control medicine daily and use quick-relief medications as directed.

Monitor your peak flow readings and track how often you need rescue medicine.

Avoiding triggers plays a major role in prevention. Stay inside during poor air quality days.

Get tested for allergies and take prescribed allergy medications. Reduce infection risks by washing hands often and staying up-to-date with vaccinations, including yearly flu shots and COVID-19 vaccines.

Take these additional steps to prevent asthma attacks:

• Quit smoking if you currently smoke
• Wear a mask while cleaning to avoid irritants
• Cover your mouth with a scarf or mask in cold weather
• Seek treatment for mental health conditions like anxiety or depression

Environmental controls can make a big difference. Remove or reduce exposure to known allergens in your home and workplace.

Regular cleaning, proper ventilation, and humidity control help create a healthier breathing environment.