What is an Asthma Attack?

An asthma attack happens when the muscles around the airways tighten, the lining of the airways swells, and more mucus is produced. This makes it difficult to breathe. Asthma attacks can be mild, moderate, or severe, and in some cases, they can be life-threatening if not treated quickly [1].

What causes an asthma attack?

Asthma attacks are usually triggered by things that irritate the lungs. Common triggers include:

Dust, pollen, or pet hair
Cold air or weather changes
Exercise
Smoke or pollution
Stress or strong emotions
Respiratory infections like colds or flu

What are the warning signs of an asthma attack?

Before an asthma attack, a person might notice warning signs such as:

Coughing, especially at night or early morning
Wheezing (a whistling sound when breathing)
Shortness of breath
Tightness in the chest
Feeling very tired or weak
Difficulty speaking in full sentences

What should you do during an asthma attack?

If someone is having an asthma attack, follow these steps:

Stay calm and help them sit upright.

Encourage them to take their reliever inhaler (usually a blue inhaler), using a spacer if they have one.

They should take one puff of the inhaler every 30 to 60 seconds, up to 10 puffs.

If there's no improvement after 10 puffs, call 999 immediately.

If the ambulance hasn’t arrived after 15 minutes, repeat the 10 puffs.

When should you seek emergency help?

Call 999 for an ambulance if:

The inhaler is not helping
The person is too breathless to speak, eat, or sleep
Their lips or face look blue
They are becoming drowsy or confused

How can asthma attacks be prevented?

To reduce the risk of an asthma attack, it's important to:

Take daily preventer medication as prescribed
Carry your reliever inhaler with you at all times
Follow an asthma action plan created with a healthcare professional
Get regular asthma reviews
Stay away from known triggers

Who is at risk of an asthma attack?

Anyone with asthma can have an attack, but the risk is higher if:

Asthma is poorly controlled
Reliever inhaler is needed more than 3 times a week
Preventer inhaler is not used regularly
There has been an asthma attack in the past

Key Takeaways

An asthma attack is a serious worsening of asthma symptoms that can be life-threatening.
Triggers include allergens, exercise, weather, and infections.
Symptoms include coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing.
Use a reliever inhaler and call 999 if symptoms don’t improve after 10 puffs.
Prevention involves daily medication, avoiding triggers, and regular asthma reviews.

Important: Always seek advice from a healthcare professional if you're unsure about your asthma symptoms or treatment. Early action can save lives.

Sources

[1] Can Asthma Go Away? A Guide To Fighting Asthma - UK Meds