Asthma Attack

How Do I Recognize the Early Signs of An asthma attack? continued...

In general, these asthma attack symptoms are not severe enough to stop you from going about your daily activities. But by recognizing these signs, you can stop an asthma attack or prevent one from getting worse.

Early warning signs of an asthma attack include:

• Frequent cough, especially at night
• Reduced peak flow meter readings
• Losing your breath easily or shortness of breath
• Feeling very tired or weak when exercising
• Wheezing or coughing after exercise or exercise-induced asthma
• Feeling tired, easily upset, grouchy or moody
• Decreases or changes in lung function as measured on a peak flow meter
• Signs of a cold, or allergies (sneezing, runny nose, cough, nasal congestion, sore throat and headache)
• Trouble sleeping with nighttime asthma

The severity of an asthma attack can escalate rapidly, so it's important to treat these symptoms immediately once you recognize them.

What Do I Do If I Have An asthma attack?

If you or a loved one is experiencing an asthma attack and the symptoms do not improve after following the asthma action plan, contact your asthma doctor and follow the "Red Zone" or emergency instructions. Immediate medical attention is necessary.

For more information, see KB120's Status Asthmaticus: Severe asthma attack.

Reviewed by the doctors at The Cleveland Clinic Department of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine.

Previous Page  [1] [2]