Asthma Attack Symptoms - Astma Symptoms

Asthma is common to many. It is a condition that causes long-term inflammation of the airways. The inflammation makes the airways to exaggerate to certain particles or chemicals that trigger the bronchial tubes to go into spasm. There is also swelling of the lungs and secretions tend to build up over the airway.

 Although mild to moderate asthma attack symptoms are quite unrecognizable, the initial signs and symptoms of severe asthma attack are predictable. One of the major signs is the wheezing or whistling sound while breathing, and it is very audible. The wheeze is louder on exhalation.

 There is an increase in respiratory rate and breathing requires more effort. The use of accessory muscles is noted during respiration. Sometimes, there is muscle retraction over the sternum and between the ribs. A person with longstanding asthma attack may develop a “barrel chest” caused by air tapping. It is also noted that the normal chest is twice as large as it is thick. Oral mucosa and nail beds may turn blue or cyanotic due to poor oxygen saturation in the blood.

 Having such severe condition, the person cannot complete a sentence with more than five words between breaths. In addition, the person may experience poor level of consciousness and tachycardia or increase pulse rate.

 The person also coughs vigorously, which can be chronic, and produces large amount of sputum and mucus. Mostly, symptoms of chronic dry cough can be noticed at night or early in the morning.

 Other signs and symptoms of an asthma attack are tightness of the chest area, like squeezing sensation, shortness of breath or chasing breath due to increase demand of air in the lungs, and faster and noisy breathing.

 Asthma may develop during childhood but may also start in the later life. Aside from allergens, viral respiratory infections, such as cold, can trigger an attack. So it is important to also recognize the precipitating and predisposing factors, more than the signs and symptoms before concluding it is an asthma attack.