Asthma is chronic lung disorder that affects more than 23 million Americans, including 7 million children, notes the American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology. The lungs of an asthmatic person become inflamed and narrow when irritating substances, or allergens, enter the airways. The muscles of the bronchial wall tighten and produce extra mucus, making it difficult to breath. Symptoms of asthma include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness and difficulty breathing. In an asthma attack, or episode, the airways become so narrow and inflamed that signs and symptoms become worse and potentially life-threatening. An asthma attack may require immediate medical attention.
Early Warning Signs
Asthma attacks can develop rapidly and become disabling or life-threatening if intervention is delayed. Recognizing the early warning signs of an asthma attack may help control the oncoming signs and symptoms. The National Institutes of Health lists the early signs of an asthma attack as being notably short-tempered or irritable, nervous or edgy, feeling tired, having an itchy neck, and dark bags under the eyes.
Wheezing and Coughing
Wheezing is a high-pitched whistling sound heard upon breathing out that occurs when air flows through constricted airways in the lungs. In an asthma attack, wheezing sounds may be loud enough to be heard without the use of a stethoscope, and coughing becomes more severe. Coughing is often worse at night or early morning and comes with mucus or phlegm.
Chest Tightness and Shortness of Breath
Other signs of an asthma attack are extreme breathing difficulty and severe chest tightness. The person having an episode may attempt to gasp for air as the airways tightly constrict and the lungs work harder. He may feel like something is squeezing his chest. A peak flow meter, which measures how hard one breathes, will register low readings if one is having breathing difficulties.
Emergency Signs
Asthma attacks may become so severe that a person may have trouble talking or walking. He may breathe so slowly or pant so fast that the skin around the neck or ribs pull in tightly. The person may sweat and his lips and fingernails may turn bluish or gray. Pulse rate increases and loss of consciousness may soon follow. A severe asthma attack requires emergency medical attention.
