The tightening of muscles around the airways results in an asthma attack, a sudden intensification of asthma symptoms. Bronchospasm is a tightness of the airways. The lining of the airways becomes inflamed or swollen during an asthma episode, and more mucus is produced than usual. These factors, including bronchospasm, inflammation, and mucus production, contribute to asthma symptoms. Asthma is a long-term respiratory illness, making it harder to transport air in and out. When these symptoms worsen, and it becomes difficult to breathe, an asthma attack ensues.
Asthma Attacks – How Will They Disappear?
Straighten Your Back
It is possible to keep your airways open by sitting erect. If you’re suffering an asthma attack, avoid lying down because it can aggravate your symptoms.
Be Calm
While you’re suffering an asthma attack, try to be as calm as possible. Panic and stress can exacerbate the symptoms you’re experiencing. While you wait for your symptoms to go away or for medical care to arrive, you might find it beneficial to watch TV or listen to music to keep yourself calm.
Maintain a Steady Breathing
During an attack, try to take slow, steady breaths. Some breathing exercises may also aid in the reduction of asthma symptoms. Here are a few examples:
- Buteyko breathing is a breathing method that involves breathing slowly via your nose rather than your mouth.
- the Papworth method, which focuses on breathing from the region around your diaphragm rather than from your chest diaphragmatic breathing, which focuses on breathing from the area around your diaphragm rather than from your chest
- Yoga breathing practices, also known as pranayama, entail regulating the length and timing of each breath.
Get Away From the Triggers
Asthma triggers might not only provoke an attack, but they can also aggravate your symptoms. Make every effort to avoid things that could set off an asthma attack.
If you’re in a place where people smoke cigarettes, you should get out of there as soon as possible.
Symptom of Asthma Attack
An attack occurs when a stimulus causes symptoms to worsen. Symptoms may progressively worsen over a few days, sometimes without the patient’s knowledge.
Someone is having an asthma attack if:
- Their relief inhaler isn’t working, or it’s only working for 4 hours.
- Coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, or dyspnea become worse.
- It’s tough to speak, eat, or sleep while you’re out of breath.
- Their breathing has become faster, or they cannot catch their breath.
Here are some of the typical signs of poorly treated asthma:
- Coughing
- Wheezing
- Shortness of breath
- Chest tightness
Symptoms range in severity and number. A youngster with asthma, for example, may exhibit all of the above signs or merely have a chronic cough.
Causes
A variety of events and behaviors can trigger asthma symptoms. Triggers are these factors, and they differ from person to person.
The following are examples of common triggers:
- Tobacco smoke
- Pet hair or dander
- Dust pollen
- Mold pollution
- Cockroaches
- Smoke from a wood or grass fire
- Allergies and sinus infections
- Bad weather, like thunderstorms or high humidity levels, can aggravate acid reflux.
Some individuals find that their asthma symptoms worsen when:
- They exercise
- They have a cold
- Have Infections of the respiratory tract
- They are worried
- Breathing in dry and cold air
- Aspirin, ibuprofen, and beta-blockers are examples of drugs.
Preventive Measures
Even if individuals have few or mild symptoms, a person with frequent or chronic asthma should take preventative asthma medicine as prescribed by a doctor to avoid an attack.
Ensuring your asthma is under control is the most excellent method to avoid having an asthma attack. Asthmatics commonly use two types of medications:
Long-Term
This involves taking medication daily to manage airway inflammation and avoid asthma episodes. Such as:
- Inhaled corticosteroids
- Leukotriene modifiers
- Long-acting bronchodilators
Quick-Relief
This is a rescue medication that can be used to relieve your asthma symptoms for a short period. These drugs are known as short-acting bronchodilators, and they function by widening your airways.
You should also make a specific asthma action plan with your doctor. This might assist you in better comprehending and controlling your asthma. An asthma action plan should include the following items:
- What triggers your asthmatic condition and how to avoid them.
- When you know how and when to take your meds for symptom control and speedy relief, you’ll be able to tell when you’re in good control of your asthma and when you need to seek emergency medical help.
- Your family and friends should have a copy of your asthma action plan so they know what to do in the course of an asthma attack. It may also be beneficial to keep it on your phone if you need to refer to it fast.
If you’re experiencing an asthma attack and don’t have your rescue inhaler, there are a few things you may do, such as sit up straight, stay calm, and keep your breathing constant. It’s essential to remember that asthma attacks can be life-threatening and necessitate immediate medical assistance. Go to emergency if you’re having symptoms of a severe asthma attack, such as extreme shortness of breath, severe wheezing, or difficulty speaking.
You should go for a regular check-up if you have breathing problems. To get expert advice, you should consult a pulmonologist. You can book your appointment with the Best Pulmonologist in Lahore through Marham.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1- What happens if you don’t treat an asthma attack?
It might have serious consequences: Breathing may become more difficult, and wheezing may become more noticeable. If you use a peak flow meter during an asthma episode, your reading will certainly be inaccurate.
2- Is it possible for asthma symptoms to continue for weeks?
An asthma episode, also known as an asthma flare-up or asthma attack, can occur at any time. Mild asthma symptoms may last only a few minutes, whereas severe asthma symptoms might persist for hours or even days.
3- Are inhalers harmful to the lungs?
According to studies, powerful inhalers can cause the lungs of asthmatic patients to create toxic substances and significantly raise the possibility of an attack if they are used too often.