What’s Happening When You’re Experiencing An Asthma Flare Up?
It seems like asthma is becoming ever more prevalent nowadays. You’ve almost certainly heard about it. But if you’ve never experienced an asthma attack, you probably don’t know what goes on during one. There are a number of common symptoms of an asthma attack. These include coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. This is a severe condition, and can be fatal if you don’t understand how to manage it. If you suspect you have asthma, or just want to know more about it, here’s some important information.
So what is it that sets off an attack of asthma? It can vary depending on the individual. Well known triggers include allergic substances like pollen, dust, environmental pollution, chemicals and smoke. As a matter of fact, many attacks are actually caused by allergy induced asthma. There are also other factors that can set off an asthma attack, such as exercise, cold air, pressure changes, and viral infections.
The site of an asthma attack is the airways leading to the lungs. There’s a muscle found outside the airway that regulates when it opens and closes. It’s entirely reflexive, so you can’t control it voluntarily. But allergens or the other issues that were pointed out above can cause it to constrict. If you are afflicted with asthma, the muscle is inclined to overreact to the irritants, and you’ll experience an asthma attack.
When the muscle tightens, the airway narrows. As well, an accumulation of mucus occurs, while the lining becomes inflamed and begins to swell. The presence of mucus in the air passages is completely normal, as it helps the circulation of air from the lungs. However, during an asthma attack, mucus production increases substantially, and it clogs the air passages.
This sticky mucus makes it very difficult to breathe. As long as the excess mucus remains, the attack won’t break off. This is why it’s so vital that you treat your symptoms promptly with medication that has been prescribed by your physician.
Oftentimes an attack will last just a few minutes. On the other hand, an acute attack can last for hours or in some cases days. You may experience a period of time without symptoms, but without proper treatment they’ll be back.
It’s vital that you check with your physician right away if you think you have asthma. He or she will run some tests to diagnose the situation. Additionally, they’ll try to establish what’s producing the attacks. When you’ve established the factors that trigger your attacks, it’s vital that you do your best to avoid them. If you want to prevent asthma attacks in the future, close medical supervision and a strong commitment to using your medication are critical. Never ignore the symptoms, because an asthma attack can be life threatening.
Asthma is a serious respiratory condition that affects millions of people throughout the world. Arm yourself with the information you need about asthma and the respiratory system at Asthma Treatment Options.