Acute Asthma Attack

If you have asthma, or you are a caregiver for someone with asthma, it is tremendously important that you are familiar with the typical acute asthma attack symptoms and know what to do if and when they occur. Asthma is a chronic condition that affects the airways and can make breathing difficult. There are several different types of asthma, classified according to the various factors that can trigger an attack, but the symptoms and treatment methods are similar. An asthma attack is an exacerbation of asthma symptoms and is often caused by allergens and other irritants from the environment. The first step toward the successful treatment and management of asthma is recognizing the symptoms of asthma attack and the most common severe asthma attack causes.

If you are having an asthma attack, you may experience one or more of the following symptoms: wheezing (a whistling sound) when inhaling and exhaling; rapid, shallow breathing; persistent coughing; a tightening of the chest and neck muscles; chest pain or pressure; breathlessness and difficulty talking in complete sentences; agitation or confusion; feelings of anxiety; bluish fingernails or lips. If your doctor has prescribed an asthma inhaler such as generic Proventil HFA, you should use it as directed by your physician at the first signs of an asthma attack. If your symptoms do not improve, it is important that you seek medical assistance right away. An asthma attack that does not improve with medication may progress, eventually leading to respiratory failure and death if it is not treated quickly.

In order to prevent asthma attacks as much as possible, you should learn to recognize and avoid the severe asthma attack causes that affect you. Allergens such as mold spores, dust, pollen, pet dander, and cockroach or dust mite feces frequently trigger attacks in asthma sufferers. In order to reduce your chances of having an asthma attack at home or at work, keep your environment as free of these substances as possible. Make sure your kitchen and bathrooms are as clean and dry as possible to prevent mold; keep food in sealed packaging to avoid attracting cockroaches. If you see signs of roaches, have a professional exterminator take care of the problem. Use a HEPA air filter to keep the air free of pollen and pet dander particles. Many asthma sufferers find it beneficial to use hypoallergenic bedding. Besides the common allergens described here, an attack can be triggered by irritants such as cigarette smoke, perfumes, and other strong odors; try to avoid these as much as you can, and keep a full inhaler with you at all times. Always refill your asthma medication prescription before you run out; don’t wait until you are in the middle of an acute asthma attack and find yourself without the medication you need to restore your breathing to normal.