Signs and symptoms of an asthma attack (1885)

An asthma flare-up (attack) is when signs of asthma gets worse.

There are early signs and emergency signs of an asthma attack. It is important to start quick relief medicine (rescue) medicine as soon as early signs begin.

What are early signs of asthma?

• Cough
• Wheeze
• Tight or heavy chest
• Cough at night
• Playing less

Follow your asthma management plan for which medicines to use. If medicine is not started the asthma attack could get worse.

What are emergency signs?

• Rescue medicine is not working.
• Breathing is faster or harder and keeps getting worse.
• Nose opens wider (flares).
• The skin between the ribs pulls in. This is called retractions.
• Trouble walking, talking, or sleeping.
• Coughing without stopping.

What happens during an asthma attack?

During an asthma flare-up or attack, three things get worse in the airways inside the lungs:

• The airways become swollen. The walls thicken and make the airways smaller.
• The airways make more Mucus. Mucus is a thick liquid that your body makes. Mucus normally protects the nose, throat, and airways. When you have asthma, your body makes too much Mucus. This Mucus can plug the airways.
• Muscles around the airways squeeze tight. Your airways have muscles around them that are usually loose. When you have asthma, these muscles can tighten.

These three things all make the airways the airways smaller, which are what causes wheezing, more coughing, and trouble breathing.

Why do asthma attacks happen?

Often something triggers an asthma attack such as:

• Colds
• Allergies
• Something around you (cleaners, animals, dust, mold, or weather changes)
• Cigarette smoke
• Exercise

What should I do for an asthma attack?

• Use your quick relief (rescue) medicine
• Follow your asthma management plan.
• If symptoms don’t get better and you are still having severe symptoms, call your provider or go to urgent care or the emergency room.
• After seeing the provider, a stronger medicine may be needed.