How To Get Rid Of Your Asthma Attack

Asthma attack, also called an Asthma exacerbation, the airways become swollen and inflamed. 

The muscles around the airways contract and the airways produce extra mucus, causing the breathing (bronchial) tubes to narrow.

During an attack, you may cough, wheeze and have trouble breathing. 

Symptoms of a minor Asthma attack get better with prompt home treatment. 

A severe Asthma attack that doesn't improve with home treatment can become a life-threatening emergency.

Symptoms

Asthma attack signs and symptoms include:

• Severe shortness of breath, chest tightness or pain, and coughing or wheezing
• Low peak expiratory flow (PEF) readings, if you use a peak flow meter
• Symptoms that fail to respond to use of a quick-acting (rescue) inhaler

Causes

An overly sensitive immune system makes your airways (bronchial tubes) become inflamed and swollen when you're exposed to certain triggers.  Common Asthma attack include:

• Pollen, pets, mold and dust mites
• Upper respiratory infections
• Tobacco smoke
• Inhaling cold, dry air
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Stress

For many people, Asthma symptoms get worse with respiratory infections, such as those caused by the Common.

Some people have Asthma flare-ups caused by something in their work environment. 

Sometimes, there isn't an apparent cause for an Asthma attack.

Risk factors

Anyone who has Asthma is at risk of an Asthma attack. You may be at increased risk of a serious Asthma attack if:

• You've had a severe Asthma attack in the past
• You've previously been admitted to the hospital or had to go to the emergency room for Asthma
• You've previously required intubation for an Asthma attack
• You use more than two quick-acting (rescue) inhalers a month
• Your Asthma attacks tend to sneak up on you before you notice symptoms have worsened
• You have other chronic health conditions, such as sinusitis or Nasal Polyps, or cardiovascular or chronic lung disease

Complications

Asthma attacks can be serious. They can:

• Interrupt everyday activities such as sleep, school, work and exercise, causing a significant impact on your quality of life — and can disrupt the lives of those around you.
• Send you to the emergency room, which can be stressful and costly.
• Lead to respiratory arrest and death.

Prevention

The best way to avoid an Asthma attack is to make sure your Asthma is well controlled.

While you may not be able to eliminate your risk of an Asthma attack, you're less likely to have one if your current treatment keeps your Asthma under control. 

Take your inhaled medications as prescribed in your written Asthma plan.

These preventive medications treat the airway inflammation that causes Asthma signs and symptoms. 

Taken on a daily basis, these medications can reduce or eliminate Asthma flare-ups and your need to use a quick-acting inhaler.

See your doctor if you're following your Asthma action plan but still have frequent or bothersome symptoms or low peak flow readings.

These are signs your Asthma isn't well controlled, and you need to work with your doctor to change your treatment.

If your Asthma symptoms flare up when you have a cold or the flu, take steps to avoid an asthma attack by watching your lung function and symptoms and adjusting your treatment as needed. 

Be sure to reduce exposure to your allergy triggers, and wear a face mask when exercising in cold weather.