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Asthma Attacks Explained

When a person with asthma experiences a worsening of their asthma symptoms, it is called an asthma episode or, in severe cases, an asthma attack.  During an asthma attack, smooth muscles around the bronchial tubes contract, making the airway openings narrower so less air can flow through.  Inflammation increases and the airways become more swollen and narrow.  Cells in the airways also make more mucus than usual, which narrows the airways further.  The changes to the airways cause the symptoms of asthma.  For example, it is difficult for air to pass in and out of the lungs and the oxygen levels in the blood decrease.

Asthma attacks are not all the same - some are worse than others. In a severe asthma attack, the airways can close so much that not enough oxygen gets to vital organs.  This condition is a medical emergency.  People can die from severe asthma attacks.  A person suffering from an asthma attack has a sensation similar to drowning.

This narrowing of the air passages is due to different combinations of :

·        contraction of muscles around the air passages,

·        swelling of the airway lining due to airway inflammation, and,

·        excessive mucus in the airways.

An asthma attack can include the symptoms of tightness in the chest, a wheezing or whistling noise in the chest, coughing, breathlessness, and difficulty breathing.

An asthma attack can occur suddenly.  However, many people with asthma learn to recognize the warning signs that herald an attack, such as an itchy nose or itchy skin, dizziness or light-headedness, or an irritating cough.

Learning the warning signs can often alert a sufferer in time to take preventive action, such as medication.

Asthma is a chronic condition, which means that attacks can occur over a long period of time.  Although there are times when acute episodes strike asthmatics, most asthma sufferers say that there are long periods during which they suffer few, if any, symptoms.