Watch for Asthma Signs

Living with Asthma

An asthma attack can be very frightening to the person experiencing it. What does asthma feel like? A person having an asthma attack will experience a tightening of muscles around the airways, known as a bronchospasm. This can cause severe wheezing, coughing that will not stop, rapid breathing, tightness or pressure in the chest, trouble talking, and feelings of anxiety or panic. Fortunately, understanding the early signs of asthma can prevent a full-blown attack.

What Causes Asthma?

It is not entirely clear what causes asthma, but certain factors can raise a person’s risk of developing this condition. It runs in families, so if your parent has asthma, you are significantly more likely to develop it than someone who doesn’t have a family history of it. Allergies and asthma are linked, and respiratory infections in childhood can cause chronic asthma. Smoking raises a person’s risk of developing asthma, as does air pollution, and certain occupational elements that irritate the airways. Being overweight or obese also increases the risk of developing asthma, and can make symptoms worse.

Warning Signs of an Asthma Attack

If you can notice asthma symptoms before they become severe, you can prevent an asthma attack from happening. Because asthma can be life-threatening, catching it early is vital to prevent a medical emergency. These early warning signs include shortness of breath, chest tightness, and difficulty talking and swallowing. Your neck may feel tight, and you may look pale or sweaty. Some people have nasal congestion before an asthma attack, with sneezing and an itchy sore throat. Pay attention to your own symptoms, noticing what happens right before your symptoms become extreme. Do you develop dark circles under your eyes? Are you moody or fatigued? Maybe you have trouble sleeping, or you feel restless, and maybe you are feverish, or your heartbeat seems fast. Many people lose tolerance for exercise when they’re about to have an asthma flare. By noticing your early warning signs, you can better manage your condition.

Severe Asthma Emergency Symptoms

If you miss the early warning signs of asthma, you may find yourself facing a medical emergency. Your asthma might get worse very quickly, and you will experience shortness of breath. The skin around your neck or ribs may be sucked in, and it may be so hard to breathe that it interferes with your ability to walk or talk. Your breathing will come hard and fast, paired with coughing fits, and you will find your shoulders hunched over. In this kind of emergency, your fingertips and nail beds will turn grey, white, or blue, and your asthma rescue medications won’t help.

What to Do During an Asthma Attack

If your asthma attack is severe, seek immediate medical attention, as this condition can be life-threatening. However, if you catch it early enough, you may be able to manage your asthma attack with your inhaler. If you do not have an inhaler with you, try these strategies to get through your asthma flare:

• Sit upright, so that you don’t constrict your breathing further.
• Breath as deeply as you can, in long, slow breaths.
• Remain calm, to prevent your chest muscles from tightening further and making it harder to breathe.
• If your asthma attack was triggered by a pollutant, get away from the trigger as soon as you can, finding an air–conditioned environment or a place with fresh, clean air.
• Have a hot, caffeinated beverage, to open the airways a little bit and give you some relief.
• Try to remain calm and rest. However, if your symptoms do not clear up quickly, seek medical care.

The Importance of Monitoring Lung Health

Carefully tracking your triggers, symptoms, warning signs and asthma attacks can provide your health care provider with valuable information to help manage your condition. Using an at-home spirometry test is also helpful in monitoring daily lung function and capacity. By paying attention to your lung health, you can take control of your asthma.

Find a Partner to Manage Chronic and Acute Health Conditions

Whether you are looking for help managing your asthma or other wellness goals, Brevard Health Alliance, Inc. is here for you. We are Brevard County’s only Federally Qualified Health Center and we offers extensive health care services. We take most insurances and also have a sliding-fee scale, so that we can treat our neighbours regardless of their ability to pay. We’re committed to providing an extraordinary quality of care for our patients to improve the health status of Brevard County. Our focus is on continually improving the quality and efficiency of our care, and on ensuring that every patient we serve is heard, encouraged, and respected. As your family healthcare provider, we strive to provide not just acute care but also preventive care and healthcare-related education. Our board-certified physicians, advanced practice nurse practitioners, and physician assistants provide primary care that includes well-child checkups, well-woman care, and physicals, along with chronic disease management. In fact, since 2005 we’ve provided not only primary care services, but also behavioral health services, dental services, diagnostic services, resource management services, pharmacy services, women’s health care and obstetrics, Hepatitis C and HIV services, extended hours pediatric walk-in care, and specialty referrals. For more information, to find a location, or to make an appointment, contact us through our website.