BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuSigns of an asthma attackAsthma attack - signs; Reactive airway disease - asthma attack; Bronchial asthma - attackSymptomsIf you do not know whether or not you have asthma, these 4 symptoms could be signs that you do:AsthmaAsthma is a chronic disease that causes the airways of the lungs to swell and narrow. It leads to breathing difficulty such as wheezing, shortness o...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Coughing during the day or coughing that may wake you up at night. Wheezing, or a whistling sound when you breathe. You may hear it more when you breathe out. It can start as a low-sounding whistle and get higher. Breathing problems that include having shortness of breath, feeling like you are out of breath, gasping for air, having trouble breathing out, or breathing faster than normal. When breathing gets very difficult, the skin of your chest and neck may suck inward. Chest tightness that may feel like pain, heavy weight or pressure in the chest region, making breathing difficult.Other Warning SignsOther early warning signs of an asthma attack are:Being short-tempered or irritable Feeling nervous or edgyDanger SignsCall 911 or the local emergency number right away if you have any of the following symptoms. These may be signs of a serious medical emergency.You are having trouble walking or talking because it is so hard to breathe. You are hunching over. Your lips or fingernails are blue or gray. You are confused or less responsive than usual. If your child has asthma, the child's caregivers must know to call 911 or the local emergency number in case your child has any of these symptoms. This includes teachers, babysitters, and others who take care of your child.Open ReferencesReferencesNational Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Asthma management guidelines: focused updates 2020. Updated February 4, 2021. www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/asthma-management-guidelines-2020-updates. Accessed February 9, 2024.Viswanathan RK, Busse WW. Management of asthma in adolescents and adults. In: Burks AW, Holgate ST, O'Hehir RE, et al, eds. Middleton's Allergy Principles and Practice. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 52.AllVideoImagesTogSelf Care Signs of an asthma attackRelated Information Asthma(Condition)Asthma in children(Condition)Asthma and allergy resources(Special Topic)How to use an inhaler - no spacer(Self-Care)How to use an inhaler - with spacer(Self-Care)Asthma - child - discharge(Discharge)Asthma - control drugs(Self-Care)How to use a nebulizer(Self-Care)Asthma - quick-relief drugs (Self-Care)Asthma and school(Self-Care)Exercise-induced asthma(Self-Care)Exercising and asthma at school (Self-Care)How to use your peak flow meter(Self-Care)Asthma in adults - InDepth(In-Depth)Asthma in children and adolescents - InDepth(In-Depth) Review Date: 2/3/2024 Reviewed By: Frank D. Brodkey, MD, FCCM, Associate Professor, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. © 1997- All rights reserved. A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.
Signs of an asthma attackAsthma attack - signs; Reactive airway disease - asthma attack; Bronchial asthma - attackSymptomsIf you do not know whether or not you have asthma, these 4 symptoms could be signs that you do:AsthmaAsthma is a chronic disease that causes the airways of the lungs to swell and narrow. It leads to breathing difficulty such as wheezing, shortness o...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Coughing during the day or coughing that may wake you up at night. Wheezing, or a whistling sound when you breathe. You may hear it more when you breathe out. It can start as a low-sounding whistle and get higher. Breathing problems that include having shortness of breath, feeling like you are out of breath, gasping for air, having trouble breathing out, or breathing faster than normal. When breathing gets very difficult, the skin of your chest and neck may suck inward. Chest tightness that may feel like pain, heavy weight or pressure in the chest region, making breathing difficult.Other Warning SignsOther early warning signs of an asthma attack are:Being short-tempered or irritable Feeling nervous or edgyDanger SignsCall 911 or the local emergency number right away if you have any of the following symptoms. These may be signs of a serious medical emergency.You are having trouble walking or talking because it is so hard to breathe. You are hunching over. Your lips or fingernails are blue or gray. You are confused or less responsive than usual. If your child has asthma, the child's caregivers must know to call 911 or the local emergency number in case your child has any of these symptoms. This includes teachers, babysitters, and others who take care of your child.Open ReferencesReferencesNational Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Asthma management guidelines: focused updates 2020. Updated February 4, 2021. www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/asthma-management-guidelines-2020-updates. Accessed February 9, 2024.Viswanathan RK, Busse WW. Management of asthma in adolescents and adults. In: Burks AW, Holgate ST, O'Hehir RE, et al, eds. Middleton's Allergy Principles and Practice. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 52.