Warning Signs Of An Acute Asthma Attack

An asthma attack causes a patient's airways to become inflamed and swollen. The condition, also referred to as asthma exacerbation, causes the airways to produce extra mucus while the surrounding muscles contract, leading to a constriction of the bronchial tubes. Asthma attacks tend to cause coughing, wheezing, and trouble with breathing. Minor asthma attacks can be treated at home and get better as long as the treatment is prompt. But if the attack is serious and doesn't respond to home treatment, it can become an emergency. To stop asthma attacks, it's important to learn how to recognize flareups early. This allows individuals to treat them before they cause a crisis. Patients should follow whatever treatment plan they have established with their doctor.

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Chest Pain

Chest pain doesn't always occur during an acute asthma attack, but it's a common symptom usually accompanied by shortness of breath. The pain might be tightness or aching. Chest pain related to asthma occurs when the bronchial tubes have become particularly constricted and inflamed. The two main medical conditions that lead to post-attack chest pain are pneumothorax and pneumomediastinum. The area between the heart and lungs is called the mediastinum, and pneumomediastinum is the name for air entering this area. It can lead to increased lung pressure and pain. In addition to radiating pain, patients might experience difficulty swallowing, coughing, coughing up mucus, and shortness of breath. Pneumothorax, on the other hand, is extremely serious. This term refers to air that has leaked into the space between the chest wall and lungs due to a lung collapse. If individuals experience wheezing, respiratory distress, racing heart rate, fast breathing, and agitation following an asthma attack, they should seek emergency medical attention, as untreated pneumothorax can be deadly.

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Shortness Of Breath

One of the hallmark symptoms of an acute asthma attack is shortness of breath. If individuals notice they're struggling with shortness of breath, they should follow the steps they and their doctor have gone over for treatment. If their symptoms don't improve when they use whatever medications and treatment methods have been prescribed, they might need to get emergency treatment. Severe breathlessness is a sign an asthma attack is severe, particularly when it occurs in the early morning or at night. Many patients describe shortness of breath as being a tightening sensation in the chest, difficulty inhaling, hunger for air, and the feeling of being suffocated. Certain triggers may increase an individual's chances of an asthma attack that impairs their breathing. These include pollutants, chemicals in the air, allergens, and extremely dry conditions. It's normal to feel some shortness of breath after strenuous exercise, but prolonged or ongoing issues with breathing after exercise can be a sign of an asthma attack. Asthma is often triggered by exercise, so patients should talk to their doctor about how to exercise safely.

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