Asthma is caused by the inflammation of the airways. The inflammation causes the airways to be swollen and sensitive. This leads the airways to react to specific substances on inhalation badly. The muscles of the airways constrict and lessen the air flow to the lungs. There might be the excess development of mucus in the cells of the airways, making them narrower. All these lead to the aggravation of asthma attack symptoms. Often beginning in childhood, asthma continues to affect a person into adulthood. It is estimated that nearly 25 million people have this chronic lung disease. Around 7 million children have been reported to have asthma.

Who is at the risk of experiencing asthma attack symptoms?
Asthma can be hereditary, or it can be caused by environmental factors. If someone in the family has asthma, it is highly likely that a child might be prone to asthma attack symptoms. An allergic condition such as atopic dermatitis or hay fever can also increase the possibility of asthma. Obesity, smoking, passive smoking, and frequent and prolonged exposure to pollution such as exhaust fumes or exposure to certain chemicals can also trigger asthma attack symptoms. People who work as hairdressers, farmers, and in the manufacturing industry are frequently exposed to harmful chemicals.

What triggers asthma attack symptoms?
If a person has asthma, several causes can trigger an attack involving extreme wheezing and breathlessness. The following are some of the common triggers of asthma attack symptoms:

• Dust, pollen, spores, dander, and even cockroach waste particles that are present in the air we breathe can cause asthma attack symptoms.
• Asthma can also be induced by exercise that causes an extreme strain on the respiratory system.
• Cold air can also act as a trigger for asthma attack symptoms.
• Sometimes specific medicines such as aspirin, beta-blockers, and ibuprofen can also cause an asthma attack.
• Ailments such as common cold and gastroesophageal reflux disease can also cause asthma attacks.

A few common asthma attack symptoms
Asthma attack symptoms are often common among people affected by this chronic lung disease. Although some may not have all the symptoms listed below, these are often observed in people who have asthma:

• One of the initial symptoms of an asthma attack is excessive coughing that might occur at night. It can be accompanied by shortness of breath, pain in the chest, a feeling of tightness in the chest, and wheezing, which is a whistling sound that is made while breathing.
• Along with difficulty in breathing, a person may experience that the skin of the neck and chest are constricted inwards. The neck may feel itchy, and there might be an excessive irritation.
• Another early asthma attack symptom is low PEF (peak expiratory flow) number from the peak flow meter. A peak flow meter is used to measure how effectively air can move out from the lungs. Such meters are used to keep track of asthma attack symptoms.
• The onset of asthma attack symptoms is often precluded by a change in the mood. A person may become irritable or may feel anxious or nervous. There might be an edginess to their behavior. A person can lose temper easily. They might have a confused state of mind, and their response may become slow.
• A cranky mood and difficulty in sleeping are some other mild asthma attack symptoms.
• One of the visible physical asthma attack symptoms is the formation of dark circles and bags under the eyes. The face may become pale and sweaty.
• Another symptom changes in the color of the fingernails or lips. They may become grayish or bluish. A person may also start to hunch over as asthma attack symptoms become severe.
• If a person finds it difficult to walk and talk due to excess shortness of breath, this indicates that asthma has become quite severe and immediate medical attention is required.
• Another asthma attack symptom that indicates that immediate medical attention is required is difficulty in breathing despite using an inhaler.

How to prevent asthma attack symptoms
There is no permanent treatment for asthma attack symptoms. It is a long-term respiratory disorder that requires a treatment that will reduce the intensity of the symptoms and alleviate them. The goal of every asthma treatment is to control the symptoms and help the patient live a life as close to normal as possible. One of the best ways to manage asthma attack symptoms is to coordinate with the doctor to treat other health problems that can aggravate the symptoms.

Another preventive measure is to stay away from triggers of asthma attack symptoms such as dust, pollutants, and chemicals. It is necessary to make physical activities to make a part of everyday routine. It will not only help the person to keep fit but also help with preventing asthma attack symptoms. However, it is necessary to ensure to take up an exercise plan that does cause any breathing difficulties.