Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition that causes airway inflammation and muscle constriction, leading to difficulty breathing, wheezing, excessive coughing, and other symptoms. During an asthma attack, it is crucial to stay calm, sit upright, use a rescue inhaler, practice pursed-lip breathing, and seek medical attention if symptoms persist or worsen. After an attack, it’s essential to monitor lingering symptoms, avoid triggers, follow prescribed medications, consult a doctor, and update an asthma action plan for long-term management and prevention.
What Is Asthma?
Asthma is a chronic condition that limits a patient’s ability to breathe, leading to scary, sometimes life-threatening asthma attacks.
Asthma involves the immune system and the lungs. When the body encounters a substance or irritant or is exposed to environmental factors like cold or dry air, the immune system can trigger a chain of events that ultimately cause breathing muscles to contract and airways to swell, hindering airflow and making it difficult to breathe.
Common Asthma Triggers
- Air pollutants, including smoke or smog
- Airborne allergens, like pollen, pet dander, mold spores, dust mites, or even cockroach droppings
- Certain foods or alcohol like beer, dried fruit, processed foods, shrimp, or wine
- Cold or dry air
- Medical conditions like acid reflux or GERD
- Physical activity
- Respiratory infections, such as the flu or common cold
- Some medications, such as aspirin, Advil or ibuprofen, beta-blockers, and Aleve or naproxen
- Stress
Common Asthma Symptoms
- Short, labored breathing
- Chest pain
- Chest tightness
- Excessive coughing
- Wheezing
What to Do During an Asthma Attack
An asthma attack can be scary to experience or witness. Here are some tips on what to do during an asthma attack to stay alert and prepared for the future.
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Recognize the Signs of an Attack
Catching an attack early on can keep you or your loved one from experiencing frighteningly severe symptoms. Pay attention to early warning signs, like
- Wheezing
- Whistling sounds when breathing
- Short breaths or the inability to breathe deeply
- Labored breathing or difficulty breathing
- Chest tightness or pressure in the chest
- Excessive or persistent coughing
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Sit down, Stay Calm, and Stay Upright
It’s best to sit down and stay upright while remaining as calm as possible. Lying down or hunching over can make breathing more difficult. Stress and anxiety can also exacerbate your condition, making it harder to breathe.
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Use a Rescue Inhaler ASAP
A rescue inhaler, or a quick-relief inhaler, provides the medication needed to stop the attack from progressing. Follow your doctor’s instructions for use, which typically include taking two puffs from the inhaler every twenty minutes within an hour or until symptoms fade and go away completely.
If symptoms persist or get worse, seek medical attention immediately.
If you are experiencing an asthma attack for the first time and do not have a rescue inhaler, follow these instructions:
- Sit upright
- Try to stay calm and steady your breathing
- Move away from potential triggers
- Seek medical attention ASAP if breathing becomes harder or symptoms worsen
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Try Pursed-Lip Breathing
If symptoms are worsening, pursed-lip breathing can help regulate your breathing and slow things down:
- Breathe in through your nose.
- Purse your lips together like you’re going to whistle.
- Exhale slowly and steadily.
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Seek Out an Environment With Cleaner Air
Whether you’re outside while the pollen count is high, inside where there is a lot of dust and pet dander, or anywhere else where the environment is triggering your asthma, try to relocate to an area with better air quality. Open a window or turn on a fan if available or possible.
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Contact 911 or Emergency Medical Services If Necessary
If your asthma attack does not stop and symptoms do not let up, contact 911 or seek medical attention ASAP. Be aware of severe warning signs, like:
- Blue lips
- Extremely short and difficult breathing
- Inability to speak clearly or in complete sentences
- Lack of consciousness
What to Do After an Asthma Attack
Once you or your loved one is able to breathe clearly an asthma attack and things have calmed down, be sure to do the following to ensure total health and safety:
- Monitor any lingering symptoms, like coughing or light wheezing.
- Pay attention to your breathing.
- Avoid triggers as much as possible.
- Take any long-term controller medications.
- Schedule an appointment with your allergist.
- Make changes to your asthma plan should you need to.
- Practice prevention, like eating well, managing stress, and staying vaccinated against the flu and other respiratory viruses.
- Keep your friends and family informed about your asthma and what to do if you ever experience an asthma attack around them.
If you’re curious about what to do before and after an asthma attack, schedule an asthma appointment with Langford Allergy.
Dr. Langford, Dr. Mathew, and our team of asthma specialists offer specialized care and treatment to all asthma patients, from pediatric patients to those well into adulthood. We create individualized and effective treatment and management plans that mitigate asthma attacks and encourage stronger, better breathing at any stage of life.
Schedule an asthma appointment today: 478-787-4728
Langford Allergy delivers allergy, asthma, and immunodeficiency care to patients throughout Middle Georgia, including:
- Bonaire, GA
- Byron, GA
- Forsyth, GA
- Fort Valley, GA
- Gray, GA
- Macon, GA
- Milledgeville, GA
- Perry, GA
- Warner Robins, GA
And other surrounding areas.
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