What Happens During an Asthma Attack?
It seems like asthma is becoming ever more prevalent these days. No doubt you’ve heard about it. But if you’ve never experienced an asthma attack, you probably don’t know what goes on during one. If you suspect you have asthma, or just want to know more about it, here’s some important information.
There are several typical symptoms of an asthma attack. These include coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. It’s a serious situation, and can lead to death if untreated.
What causes an asthma attack? It’s different for everyone. Some of the most common triggers are allergens such as dust, pollution, pollen, cigarette smoke and perfume. Indeed, allergies and asthma often go hand in hand. Things like a change in the atmospheric pressure, cold air, exercise or a common cold virus can also trigger asthma symptoms.
An asthma attack takes place within the air passage to your lungs. The opening and closing of your airways are controlled by a specific muscle. You don’t have any control over this muscle; it’s totally automatic. But allergens or the other factors that were pointed out above can cause it to constrict. If you suffer from asthma, the muscle tends to overreact to the irritants, and you’ll experience an asthma attack.
If the muscle tightens up, the air passage becomes constricted. It also gets clogged with mucus and the lining becomes swollen and inflamed. Normally, mucus in the airways is perfectly natural since it assists in the movement of air into the lungs. However, during an asthma attack, mucus production increases considerably, and it clogs the airway.
This sticky mucus makes it very difficult to breathe. As long as the excess mucus is in place, the asthma attack won’t stop. That’s why it’s so important to treat your symptoms immediately with a prescribed medication.
Sometimes an attack will last just a few minutes. A severe attack, though, can go on for hours or days. You might experience a period of time without symptoms, but without proper treatment they’ll be back.
If you suspect you might have asthma, it’s essential that you visit your doctor immediately. He or she will run some tests to diagnose the situation. They will also try to pinpoint the cause of your attacks. Once you know what your triggers are, it’s essential that you avoid them as much as possible. In order to avoid asthma attacks in the future, close medical supervision and a strong commitment to using the proper asthma treatments are essential. Never ignore the symptoms, because an asthma attack can be life threatening.
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