How To Recognize an Asthma Attack

Girl taking inhalerAsthma is a common disease that can make it extremely difficult to breathe. During an attack, your airways swell and constrict. This may lead to coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing, and chest tightness.

What can trigger an asthma attack?

Unfortunately, many things that people encounter daily can trigger asthma symptoms. These include encounters with animals, dust, pollen, mold, exercise (for exercise-induced asthma), smoke, stress, weather, and chemicals in the air.
Since these triggers are so common, it is critical to be able to recognize when to seek treatment. Our board-certified allergists can provide you with an asthma action plan.

Recognizing an Asthma Attack

Being able to recognize the symptoms of an asthma attack is crucial since these attacks can last anywhere from a few minutes to a few days. Even if you have asthma, you might go for extended periods without showing any symptoms or experiencing an attack. However, just because you usually don’t show symptoms, doesn’t mean your asthma has subsided. Symptoms can be triggered at any point, so knowing what to look for remains important.

Asthma symptoms can include:

  • Severe shortness of breath
  • Chest tightness or pain
  • Coughing
  • Wheezing
  • Symptoms that fail to respond to the use of an inhaler

It is advisable to head to your nearest hospital, instead of your local asthma clinic, if you are experiencing severe symptoms or require immediate medical attention.

Planning for an Asthma Attack

You need to know what to expect and do whether you are experiencing mild asthmatic symptoms or an asthma attack. Our doctors can help provide you with an action plan on handling anything from moderate symptoms to an attack. With the knowledge in hand, you will be better equipped to care for yourself or others who are experience mild or severe asthma symptoms.

Get an Asthma Action Plan

Asthma attacks can be life-threatening, making it crucial for you to recognize the symptoms and how to treat them. Schedule an appointment or call 501-227-5210 for more information on how you can get an asthma action plan with the help of one of our board-certified allergists.