Asthma Attack

Asthma attack may occur when you come in contact with a trigger. The muscles around the airways suddenly tighten and there is excess secretion of mucus by the lining of the airways. All these factors cause your Symptoms of Asthma to suddenly worsen.

Symptoms of an asthma attack are:

• Breathlessness

• Wheezing

• Severe coughing

• Chest tightness

• Anxiety

By recognising the symptoms early, you can stop an asthma attack, or prevent it from getting worse. A severe asthma attack can be a life-threatening emergency.

What to do during an asthma attack?

If you take your Controller inhaler medications regularly, the chances of your getting an asthma attack are very low. The first thing to do when you or someone around you is having an asthma attack is to be calm and relax, and then follow these steps.

• Sit upright and loosen your clothes.

• Take your prescribed Reliever inhaler without any delay.

• If you find no relief in 5 minutes after using the Reliever inhaler, take more doses of the Reliever inhaler as prescribed by your doctor.

• If there is still no relief, it is important that you call your doctor or visit the nearest hospital without delay. Do not exceed the Reliever inhaler dose without consulting a doctor.

If you or anyone around you is having the following symptoms, it is important to visit the nearest hospital immediately:

• Discoloured (blue or grey) lips, face, or nails

• Extreme difficulty in breathing

• Difficulty talking or walking

• Extreme anxiety or panic caused by breathing difficulty

• Chest pain

• Rapid pulse and a pale, sweaty face