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Overview
An asthma exacerbation is also commonly called an asthma attack. During an asthma exacerbation the symptoms of asthma that can plague an individual suddenly will become much worse than normal. The airways will become restricted as the linings swell up and thick mucus is produced. During this time the symptoms of an asthma exacerbation will manifest themselves. This can be a very scary time for those enduring it as these symptoms can sometimes lead to death.
Shortness of breath
The symptom that most defines an asthma exacerbation is shortness of breath. Asthma exacerbations have certain triggers, meaning that specific things will precipitate an attack. When a person that suffers from asthma is exposed to one of these triggers, such as tobacco smoke or pollen in the air, they will begin to feel short of breath. At first they will be gasping for air and then they will begin to make wheezing sounds as their airways decrease in width, making it hard to bring air into the lungs.
Breathing problems
As the person undergoing an asthma exacerbation struggles for air they will experience symptoms related to this fight to breathe. Among these are the potential to constantly cough, without being able to stop. Their breathing can become rapid and their chest may hurt or feel as if there is great pressure being exerted on it. The muscles in the chest and neck may start to feel tight as well.
Panic
As the asthma exacerbation worsens some individuals tend to panic. This is understandable as they feel as if they are going to suffocate. They may have a hard time even talking to let someone know what is happening to them and they can be overcome with feelings of dread and high anxiety. Their face may appear to be much paler than it normally is and they can begin to sweat profusely as the asthma exacerbation continues.
Emergency
During extreme asthma exacerbations in which medications such as inhalers fail to reduce the inflammation right away the individual may have their lips and fingernails begin to turn a bluish tint. This is a sign that oxygen is not getting into the person's lungs and is called cyanosis, a clear indicator that the person's blood has an appreciable lack of oxygen. The lungs can become so tightened that the wheezing sounds stop altogether since there isn't even enough air movement within them to produce a sound. This is known as "silent chest" and is a major medical emergency. The person can die without immediate medical attention.
Warning signs
There are certain warning signs that an asthma exacerbation can be close at hand. They include a person with a history of asthma to begin coughing frequently, especially during the evenings. A peak flow meter is a simple hand-held device that measures a person's breathing ability. Someone that may be having an asthma exacerbation imminent may use this and observe that their breathing readings are below normal. Feeling fatigued, wheezing after they exercise, and becoming quickly winded without much exertion are other potential warning signs of an oncoming asthma exacerbation.
