It seems like asthma is becoming ever more prevalent these days. You've almost certainly heard of it. But if you've never experienced an asthma attack, you probably don't know what goes on during one. If you've just been diagnosed with the condition, here are some facts you should know.

Symptoms of an asthma attack include shortness of breath, coughing and a wheezing or whistling sound in your chest. This is a severe condition, and can be fatal if you don't learn to manage it.

So what is it that sets off an attack of asthma? It's different for everyone. Some of the most common triggers are allergens such as dust, pollution, pollen, cigarette smoke and perfume. In fact, allergy induced asthma is a very common form of this disease. Things like a change in the atmospheric pressure, cold air, exercise or a common cold virus can also trigger asthma symptoms.

The site of an asthma attack is the airways leading to the lungs. The opening and closing of your airways are controlled by a specific muscle. It's completely reflexive, so you can't control it voluntarily. However, it can be caused to tighten by certain irritants or external conditions, as mentioned earlier. If you suffer from asthma, the muscle tends to overreact to the irritants, and you'll experience an asthma attack.

When the muscle tightens, the airway narrows. As well, a build up of mucus takes place, and at the same time the lining becomes inflamed and starts to swell. The presence of mucus in the air passages is completely normal, because it helps the flow of air from the lungs. But when you're experiencing an asthma attack, the production of mucus increases, thereby filling the air passages.

It's hard to breathe when this accumulation of mucus is present. As long as the excess mucus is in place, the asthma attack won't stop. So it's essential that you manage your symptoms quickly with a medication that has been prescribed by your doctor.

Attacks are often only a few minutes in duration. A severe attack, though, can go on for hours or days. You might experience a period of time without symptoms, but without proper treatment they'll be back.

It's important to check with your doctor right away if you think you have asthma. He or she will run some tests to diagnose the situation. They will also try to pinpoint the cause of your attacks. Once you know what your triggers are, it's essential that you avoid them as much as possible. You'll need to work closely with your doctor and follow the prescribed asthma remedies if you want to prevent future attacks. Never ignore the symptoms, because an asthma attack can be life threatening.

Posted under Allergies