How long do asthma attacks last

Uncontrolled asthma — with its underlying inflammation — often acts up at night. The important thing to know about nighttime asthma is that, with proper management, you should be able to sleep through the night. There is no cure for asthma. Control symptoms by taking asthma medicines and avoiding your triggers. With proper treatment and an asthma management plan, you can reduce your symptoms and enjoy a better quality of life.

Other common triggers are irritants in the air, such as smoke or chemical fumes, and strong odors, such as perfume. Certain illnesses — particularly the flu, sinusitis or even a mild upper respiratory infection — may also trigger an asthma attack, as can strenuous exercise, extreme weather conditions and strong emotions that change normal breathing patterns.

Warning signs of a potential asthma attack can include an increase in your need for rescue medication especially albuterol , a worsening cough, shortness of breath particularly if it wakes you up at night and diminished tolerance for exercise.

In general, it is important to stay calm and use the medications your allergist has prescribed. An up-to-date asthma action plan filled out by your doctor should always be available to help guide treatment when symptoms occur. Quick-relief medications — often administered via an inhaler — are used to treat asthma attacks as needed.

If symptoms persist or progress, then systemic corticosteroids which reduce airway inflammation may be necessary. If symptoms persist, see your allergist.

Seek immediate medical treatment if coughing or shortness of breath persists or seems to be worsening. Some triggers particularly affect children with asthma and can make the inflammation in their lungs even worse. The common cold is one of the most frequent triggers for asthma attacks in very young children.

Others include:. If your child has asthma, your allergist will help you discover the triggers that bring on or worsen the symptoms. There are various breathing techniques that can help asthma and knowing how to breathe properly could help if something unexpectedly triggers an attack. You will find a wealth of further information about allergies and asthma on our website, and we hope you will explore it.

You can also get in touch with us — we would love to hear from you! What is an asthma attack? Symptoms of an asthma attack Symptoms of an asthma attack include: Difficulty breathing Shortness of breath Wheezing Coughing A feeling of pressure or tightness in your chest Difficulty talking Getting no relief from using your normal blue reliever inhaler Going pale in colour, sometimes with blue lips or fingernails.

What to do when having an asthma attack? Sit upright in a comfortable position do not lie down and loosen any tight clothing. Leaning forward slightly or sitting backwards on a chair may help your breathing. Breathe slowly and deeply. If you do have your reliever inhaler usually blue , take one puff every seconds up to a maximum of 10 puffs. If you have a spacer device to hand, use that to administer the inhaler, as it can help the medicine get into your airways more efficiently.

Stay as calm as you can, as panic and anxiety can make your symptoms worse. In the case of adults, symptoms can include: A feeling of tightness or pressure in your chest Tightened neck or chest muscles, which cause the skin and soft tissue in your chest wall to skin in — this is called a chest retraction Feeling fatigued, nervous or edgy — this can be an early warning sign of an impending asthma attack. Symptoms in children In young children it can sometimes be hard to identify signs and symptoms of asthma.

Some children may also say their tummy or chest aches. Symptoms after an asthma attack How you feel after an asthma attack will depend on how severe the attack was and what triggered it. You may also have symptoms like chest pain, coughing, and wheezing.

Your air passages can become so inflamed that you need urgent care at a hospital. An asthma attack can be a frightening experience. It can take days — or even weeks — to fully recover. Taking some time for yourself after an asthma attack can help you recover — and possibly lower your risk of having another one. The most important thing is to take your medicine exactly as your doctor prescribed to prevent another attack. If severe asthma attacks are becoming a pattern for you, consider meeting with your doctor to re-evaluate your treatment plan.

You might need to increase the dose of your current medicine or add a new one to prevent future flare-ups. Let your doctor know if you experience any new or worsening symptoms.

Stay home and relax for a few days. Put chores and other responsibilities on the back burner. Ask friends and family to help out with shopping, cooking, and cleaning until you feel ready to get back into your routine. Asthma is a sleep disruptor; an asthma attack can throw your sleep cycle out of whack. Using your inhaler can help prevent symptoms, but asthma medicines might also keep you awake.