Asthma emergencies

  An asthma emergency, the asthmatic may become quiet, focused on the dire struggle to take a single b

People that suffer from asthma can have an attack that is so severe it becomes an asthma emergency. Each year, Americans die as the result of asthma emergencies because assistance was not obtained quickly enough.

An asthma emergency is an acute attack and can be extremely frightening. Coping with an attack requires quick action. You need to know when an attack is looming on the horizon and you also need to understand the signs of an attack becoming an emergency.


When an asthma emergency occurs, the air passages become so narrow because of swelling and the bronchial tubes become so constricted that little or no air can get through. Mucus can further restrict the air flow. Because insufficient oxygen gets into the blood and carbon dioxide is not being removed, if the situation is not alleviated rapidly, death can occur within minutes.

Risk factors for experiencing an asthma emergency include severe airway reactions, advanced age, long-term steroid therapy, and having had ventilation through mechanical means by a medical professional. A person that has been hospitalized because of an asthma emergency is more likely to experience another emergency than someone that has not had a previous life-threatening attack. The use of prescription oral corticosteroids can cause increased risk of an asthma emergency. It appears that psychiatric or psychosocial problems can increase the likelihood of experiencing an asthma emergency although the reason is not clear. Excessive use of bronchodilators can also increase the chances of an asthma emergency.

When an acute asthma attack occurs, the symptoms begin as with a less severe asthma attack. The person with asthma experiences coughing, wheezing and a feeling of being unable to breathe. While most asthma attacks subside after a short time or using quick-acting medication in the form of an inhaler, an asthma emergency will not subside and the symptoms persist.

In an asthma emergency, the asthmatic may become quiet, focused on the dire struggle to take a single breathe. They may sit hunched over in an effort to encourage the muscles of the chest and lungs to expand. If you see an asthmatic in this state, seek help immediately. The situation will only become worse unless help is obtained. Call 9-1-1- for an ambulance or emergency rescue if you or someone you are with falls into an asthma emergency.

Do not take an asthma emergency lightly. The symptoms will not pass if you wait a few minutes longer. That assumption has costs the lives of serious asthmatics too often. Don’t hesitate to obtain emergency help when it appears to be needed.

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Asthma.

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