By Chioma Obinna

Asthma attacks rarely happen without warning. Knowing the signs of a pending attack could help prevent an asthma emergency. According to medical experts, acting quickly could save a life.

Asthma is a chronic (long-term) lung disease that inflames and narrows the airways. It causes recurring periods of wheezing (a whistling sound when you breathe), chest tightness, shortness of breath, and coughing. The coughing often occurs at night or early in the morning. Asthma affects people of all ages, but it most often starts during childhood.

The airways are tubes that carry air into and out of the lungs. People who have asthma have inflamed airways. This makes the airways swollen and very sensitive. They tend to react strongly to certain inhaled substances.

When the airways react, the muscles around them tighten. This narrows the airways, causing less air to flow into the lungs. The swelling also can worsen, making the airways even narrower. Cells in the airways may make more mucus than normal. This chain reaction can result in asthma symptoms. Symptoms can happen each time the airways are inflamed.

Unfortunately, asthma can’t be cured. Clinical studies have found that even when a patient feels fine, the patient still have the disease and it can flare up at any time.

However, with today’s knowledge and treatments, most people who have asthma are able to manage the disease. They have few, if any, symptoms. They can live normal, active lives and sleep through the night without interruption from asthma.

Experts are of the view that taking an active role in managing the condition would reduce the attacks. To prevent asthma attack, experts say patients must understand early warning signs of asthma, such as a lack of appetite, fatigue, headache, or coughing often precedes an asthma attack.

Others typical signs are trouble sleeping, feeling tired, dark circles under the eyes and less tolerance for exercise.

A persistent cough could occur. Signs of an asthma attack vary from one attack to the next. One time there may be little or no coughing before an attack. The next time, there may be a persistent cough, especially at night. The cough is typically dry and hacking. A chronic or persistent cough that doesn’t disappear after other cold symptoms have disappeared could point to asthma.

Asthma patients should avoid taking cough medicine. Experts say this because cough medicine won’t help the asthma.

Also, a peak flow meter can alert a patient to a pending attack. Be sure you always know your baseline measurement that reflects your best breathing. If a peak flow meter shows numbers between 50 per cent and 80 per cent of the personal best, an asthma attack has likely begun.

According to experts, a number below 50 per cent signals an emergency that needs immediate attention.

Based on peak flow measures, experts recommend an action plan that will show a patient what medicines to take and when. It’s important to follow the plan and use the medications exactly as prescribed. If the symptoms still get worse after following the plan, the patient should visit an asthma doctor.

Breathing difficulties

During an asthma attack, muscles around the airways tighten, and the airway linings swell. Excess mucus secretion is produced in the airways and can block the air tubes in the lungs. Air is trapped in the lungs and breathing becomes difficult.

You might notice symptoms of wheezing at first. But as attacks progress there is more chest tightness and shortness of breath. This can progress to a feeling of not being able to get enough air.

Posture changes: The effort to breathe may cause someone with severe breathing difficulties to lean forward, speak in words rather than sentences, and become noticeably agitated.

As the severity increases, an asthma sufferer may increasingly assume a hunched-over sitting position with the hands supporting the torso, termed the tripod position.