IA - Health Advisor

Important Asthma Attack Signs: What to Watch For









Anyone who has asthma and wants to avoid having a severe asthma attack should be aware of the different signs of an asthma attack coming on. If they understand what the asthma attack signs are they will be able to take the necessary steps to stop the attack before it gets serious or even prevent it altogether.
Asthma Attack Signs
There are quite a few different asthma attack signs that one may experience immediately before they experience an asthma attack. First, know that an asthma attack is a sudden worsening of asthma symptoms, caused by the tightening of muscles around your airways.
A few of the most common asthma attack signs include severe wheezing when breathing both in and out, coughing that won’t stop, very rapid breathing, chest pain or pressure, tightened neck and chest muscles, difficulty talking, feelings of anxiety or panic, a pale or sweaty face, blue lips or fingernails, and worsening symptoms despite use of your medication.
What to do
If you ever notice the onset of any of these symptoms, the most important thing is that you keep from panicking. You should begin pursed-lip breathing, and use your peak flow meter to check the severity of your attack. Also make sure that you get away from any triggers such as pet dander and cigarette smoke, so that the attack does not get worse.
Make sure that you use your asthma medications as ordered by your doctor. If you are on an inhaler, try a few puffs of this, continue breathing slowly and hope that it helps to calm your breathing down.
If the attack is especially severe and persistent it is considered as being a medical emergency and you are going to need to get in to your doctor or a hospital right away. They may need to provide you with forced oxygen in order to get your breathing back to normal and wade off the attack.
Keep in mind that this is just a general idea of the different asthma attack signs, and so just because you may not experience any of these this does not mean that you are not experiencing an asthma attack. It is really up to you to know your body and to recognize the early warning signs as they are coming on.
Asthma can be a very difficult condition to deal with, but by taking the proper precautions you will be able to keep it under control and avoid asthma attacks as best you can.