What Happens During an Asthma Attack?
Asthma is an increasingly common health condition in modern society. No doubt you’ve heard about 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 can vary depending on the individual. Some of the most common triggers are allergens such as dust, pollution, pollen, cigarette smoke and perfume. Indeed, many attacks are actually caused by allergy induced asthma. Things like a change in the atmospheric pressure, cold air, exercise or a common cold virus can also trigger asthma symptoms.
The site of an asthma attack is the airways leading to the lungs. There’s a muscle located outside the airway that controls when it opens and closes. You don’t have any control over this muscle; it’s totally automatic. However, it can be caused to tighten by certain irritants or external conditions, as mentioned earlier. When you have an asthma condition, the muscle reacts disproportionately to the the triggers, thereby causing an attack.
If the muscle tightens up, the air passage becomes constricted. It also gets clogged with mucus and the lining becomes swollen and inflamed. Normally, mucus in the airways is perfectly natural since it assists in the movement of air into the lungs. However, during an asthma attack, mucus production increases considerably, and it clogs the airway.
It’s hard to breathe when this accumulation of mucus is present. As long as the excess mucus is in place, the asthma attack won’t stop. That’s why it’s so important to treat your symptoms immediately with a prescribed medication.
Attacks are often only a few minutes in duration. However, a severe attack can last for hours or even days. You might experience a period of time without symptoms, but without proper treatment they’ll be back.
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. They will also try to pinpoint the cause of your 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 remedies if you want to prevent future attacks. Never ignore the symptoms, because an asthma attack can be life threatening.
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Did you know that asthma affects millions of people around the world? If you’re one of them, visit Asthma Remedies to learn more about what causes the condition, how to prevent it, and how to treat an attack.
Filed under: Allergies
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