Asthma attack can be a harrowing experience not only for the person suffering from it but also for the near and dear ones. It is caused by the inflammation and swelling of the airways which makes it difficult for a person to breathe. Knowing about the asthma attack symptoms can help you to seek immediate medical attention and take steps that would prevent the condition from getting worse.
The most common cause for inflammation of the airways is exposure to irritants or allergens. Prolonged exposure may lead to a condition known as “bronchial hyperreactivity” wherein the bronchial tubes and airways become extremely sensitive to irritants.
Symptoms
The body exhibits a series of changes before an asthma attacks. The most common asthma attack symptoms are:
- Anxiety
- Coughing
- Chest pain
- Difficulty in talking
- Headache
- Rapid breathing
- Severe wheezing
- Shortness of breath
- Sweaty face
These symptoms may differ from person to person and are commonly noticed before a mild asthma attack. Immediate medical treatment will help in preventing the condition from getting worse. With appropriate treatment, this condition can be treated within a few hours.
Severe asthma attack symptoms differ from the common symptoms. Though severe attacks are relatively rare when compared to mild attacks, they can be life-threatening if left untreated. Some of the typical symptoms include:
- Anxiety
- Blue fingernails or skin
- Difficulty in breathing
- Difficulty in talking
- Fatigue
- Increased wheezing
- Increased pulse rate
- Nasal flaring
- Restlessness
- Severe drowsiness
Most of the symptoms mentioned above may also resemble other respiratory conditions or disorders. Therefore, it is very important to seek medical help to ascertain the exact cause. You doctor would prescribe medications depending on the severity of the attack and other factors.
General Information
Avoiding contact or exposure to allergens and irritants is the best way to prevent an attack. If you notice any of the asthma attack symptoms, seek immediate medical help. For those of you who are unfamiliar with how it feels, imagine having a polythene cover tied over your face with the air inside it reducing with every breath you take. This is as closest you can get to knowing what a person feels like during an asthma attack. A healthy lifestyle, nutritious food and medications would help in reducing the severity and occurrence of asthma attacks.
