Asthma Early Warning Signs
- Not feel hungry
- Feel tired or have trouble sleeping
- Cough often
- Have a headache
- Get dark circles under your eyes
- Wheeze and feel very weak or tired when you exercise
A Cough That Doesn't Go Away
An asthma cough is usually dry and hacking. If you have one that doesn't go away after other cold symptoms are gone, that could point to asthma.
Avoid taking cough medicine to feel better. It won't help the asthma.
Measureable Changes in Your Breathing
- If your peak flow meter shows numbers between 50% and 80% of your personal best, an asthma attack has probably started.
- A number below 50% means an emergency. Use your rescue inhaler, and call for help right away.
- Call 911 if you have trouble walking or talking because you're short of breath, or if your lips are blue or gray. Use your rescue inhaler while you wait for help.
Follow Your Asthma Action Plan
An action plan tells you how to deal with the symptoms of an asthma attack.
- Based on your peak flow numbers, it shows you what medicines to take and when. It's important to follow the steps and take your medications exactly as your doctor tells you to.
- If your symptoms still get worse after you've followed your plan, call your asthma doctor. Your plan should have instructions for emergencies, too.
Trouble Breathing
During an asthma attack, muscles around the airways tighten, and the airway linings swell.
- The airways make too much mucus, which can block the air tubes in the lungs.
- Air gets trapped in the lungs, and it gets hard to breathe.
- Wheezing might be the first symptom you notice. But as the attack gets worse, you'll feel more chest tightness and shortness of breath. Eventually, you might feel like you can't get enough air.
Chest and Neck Retractions
When it's hard to breathe, the tissue in the chest and neck may sink in with each breath. This is called retraction.
Retractions mean not enough air is getting into the lungs. They're a sign of a medical emergency. Call 911 or see a doctor right away.
In children, other signs that breathing is getting worse are:
Other Signs of Asthma Emergencies
Get emergency help at once if you have any of these symptoms:
- Trouble talking
- Can't exhale or inhale
- Shortness of breath
- Feelings of anxiety or panic
- Coughing that won't stop
- Pale, sweaty face
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