The airways become swollen and irritated during an asthma attack, also known as an asthma exacerbation. The muscles around the airways tense, and the airways generate more mucus, narrowing the breathing passages (bronchial tubes).
You may cough, wheeze, and have difficulty breathing during an episode. With timely home treatment, the symptoms of a small asthma attack improve.
A severe asthma attack that does not respond to home therapy can quickly escalate into a life-threatening situation.
The key to preventing an asthma attack is to recognize and treat an asthma flare-up as soon as possible. Follow the treatment plan that you and your doctor devised ahead of time.
What to do if your asthma starts to grow worse, as well as how to deal with an asthma attack in progress, should be part of your treatment strategy.
The following are signs and symptoms of an asthma attack:
- Coughing or wheezing, together with severe shortness of breath, chest tightness or pain
- If you use a peak flow meter, you’ll see low peak expiratory flow (PEF) measurements.
- Symptoms that do not improve with the use of a rescue inhaler
An asthma episode can manifest itself in a variety of ways, depending on the individual.
Work with your doctor to pinpoint your specific signs and symptoms of asthma worsening, as well as what to do if they occur.
You may need emergency treatment if your asthma symptoms do not improve or worsen after taking your medication as prescribed by your doctor.
Your doctor can teach you how to spot an asthma attack so you’ll know when to seek medical assistance.
When should you consult a physician?
If your asthma attacks, follow the treatment measures outlined in your written asthma plan that you and your doctor devised.
If your symptoms and PEF readings improve, home treatment may be sufficient. If your symptoms don’t improve after trying home remedies, you may need to go to the hospital.
Follow the directions on your written asthma plan for using your quick-acting (rescue) inhaler when your asthma symptoms flare up.
PEF readings ranging from 51 percent to 79 percent of your personal best are a sign you need to use the quick-acting (rescue) medications prescribed by your doctor.
Check asthma control steps with your doctor
Because asthma symptoms can change over time, you’ll need to make adjustments to your treatment plan on a regular basis to keep your daily symptoms under control.
You’re more likely to have an asthma attack if your asthma isn’t well controlled. Asthma flare-ups can happen at any time due to lingering lung inflammation.
Attend all of your doctor’s appointments. Make an appointment with your doctor if you have frequent asthma flare-ups, low peak flow readings, or other signs that your asthma isn’t well controlled.
When should you seek medical help in an emergency?
If you have any of the following signs or symptoms of a serious asthma attack, seek medical help right away:
- Severe wheezing or breathlessness, especially at night or early in the morning
- Shortness of breath prevents you from speaking more than short phrases.
- Not being able to breathe without straining your chest muscles
- When using a peak flow meter, you’ll get low peak flow readings.
- After using a quick-acting (rescue) inhaler, there was no improvement.
