What are Common Asthma Symptoms?

Asthma affects millions of people every day. It constricts the airways, which makes it difficult to breathe properly and may limit a person's activity or ability to speak properly. A common asthma symptom is wheezing, which sounds like a ragged sort of breathing. Some might even compare the sound to stepping on a set of bagpipes. People wheeze for other reasons as well, such as emphysema, but for asthmatic people, wheezing may be a sign that they are in the beginning stages of an attack. They may experience wheezing alongside another asthma symptom, such as tightening of the chest. This makes it difficult to inhale and exhale properly

How to Handle an Attack

First, it is important that anyone suffering from an asthma attack take whatever medication has been prescribed to them for this sort of occurrence. Doctors who know how to treat an asthma symptom, like an attack, prescribe medication such as inhalers to help restore normal breathing. Many people have inhalers which contain medicine in aerosol form, making it easy to get into the body quickly.

If an inhaler is not available, a person can handle an asthma symptom such as wheezing by monitoring their breathing and creating slow, even breaths. They may to three for each inhalation and exhalation mentally or someone can count for them. The counting acts to make the person aware of how quickly they are breathing. Sometimes this is enough to calm the person and the respiratory system enough to return to normal function. If this happens frequently, however, it may be necessary to speak to your doctor about changing your treatment options.

When to Seek Help

If your condition is not improving or seems to be getting worse, despite addressing the asthma symptom with medication and proper breathing, it may be necessary to seek medical attention. If you are alone, you can call an ambulance by dialing 911 or, if you are with others, someone may need to drive you to the hospital. Hospitals deal with many people every day who come in complaining of an asthma symptom such as wheezing or trouble breathing. They often have nebulizers on hand, which are similar to inhalers except that they deliver medicine, mixed with oxygen, in a vapor to the patient's lungs. There are also portable versions of this machine for patients whose asthma symptom is severe enough to warrant needing one on hand. Thus, by knowing how to deal with symptoms, these symptoms can be managed effectively.

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