Asthma Attacks: Early Warning Signs You Must Not Ignore

Asthma is a condition in which a person's airways become inflamed and narrow. The airway swell because of asthma and produce extra mucus. This makes the person experience difficulty in breathing. Secretion of excessive mucus can result in an asthma attack. During an asthma attack, narrowed airways make it harder to breathe and cause coughing and wheezing. Other symptoms of asthma  include severe wheezing, chest tightness, difficulty in talking, feeling of anxiety, blue lips or fingernails, tightened neck and chest muscles (which is also known as retractions).

At times, people with asthma go for extended periods without suffering an asthma attack. Asthma attacks may occur because of triggers such as dust, dirt, pollution and exposure to cold air. Symptoms of mild asthma attack are more common. It can be dealt with treatment. In order to prevent severe asthma attacks, it important to treat it immediately. Symptoms of severe asthma attacks are less common but they last for longer.

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How to recognise early sign of asthma attack?

The most common symptoms of asthma are the earliest signs that your asthma is worsening. At an early stage, symptoms of asthma attack are not severe and may not interfere with your day-to-day activities. Recognising and treating them on time can stop an asthma attack and even prevent them from getting worse.

Some of the early warning sign of asthma attach include feeling tired or weak when exercising, feeling moody, frequent cough that worsens at night, feeling of shortness of breath, wheezing or coughing during or after exercise, experiencing signs of cold and allergies and difficulty to sleep at night.

An asthma attack can instantly become more severe. It is thus important to recognise the symptoms immediately.

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What happens when asthma attack goes untreated?

If you don't get treatment for asthma attack on time, it may cause even more difficulty in breathing. Coughing may become more severe and frequent, and wheezing may get louder. Gradually, your lungs may tighten so much that there is not enough air movement to produce wheezing. Eventually, you will experience difficulty in speaking. A bluish colouring may appear around your lips. This means that you have less oxygen in your blood. At this stage, you need to visit the emergency room and seek immediate treatment.

In order to prevent asthma attacks, you need to follow a healthy lifestyle and avoid asthma triggers as much as possible. Avoid going in dusty areas. Wear pollution mask when stepping outside the house. Smoking is completely off the table. Exercise regularly... do cardiovascular exercises that give a boost to your stamina. Breathing exercises can go a long way in terms of improving breathing and reducing asthma symptoms. Avoid cold foods and icy drinks. A healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet is what you need to control asthma.

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