It seems like asthma is becoming ever more prevalent these days. You’ve almost certainly heard of it. But unless you actually suffer from the problem, you might not know what actually transpires during an asthma attack. If you’ve just been diagnosed with the condition, here are some facts you should know.
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.
So what is it that sets off an attack of asthma? It’s different for everyone. Some of the most common triggers are allergens such as dust, pollution, pollen, cigarette smoke and perfume. In fact, allergies and asthma are very closely related. 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. It’s completely reflexive, so you can’t control it voluntarily. 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. The presence of mucus in the air passages is completely normal, because it helps the flow of air from the lungs. But when you’re experiencing an asthma attack, the production of mucus increases, thereby filling the air passages.
This sticky mucus makes it very difficult to breathe. The asthma attack won’t end until the mucus is cleared away. 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. There will be intervals where you might not experience any symptoms, but they will soon return if you don’t receive the proper medication.
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. As well, they’ll try to figure out what’s triggering the attacks. Once you know what your triggers are, it’s essential that you avoid them as much as possible. You’ll need to work closely with your doctor and follow the prescribed asthma treatments if you want to prevent future attacks. The attacks can be deadly, so don’t ignore your symptoms.
Comments on this entry are closed.