{"id":94974,"date":"2013-06-12T12:37:22","date_gmt":"2013-06-12T16:37:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dominicanewsonline.com\/news\/?p=94974"},"modified":"2013-06-12T12:37:22","modified_gmt":"2013-06-12T16:37:22","slug":"health-talk-asthma-attack-signs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dominicanewsonline.com\/news\/homepage\/columns\/health-talk\/health-talk-asthma-attack-signs\/","title":{"rendered":"HEALTH TALK: Asthma attack signs"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Dr.
Dr. Victor Emanuel MD<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

How to Avoid an Asthma Emergency<\/strong><\/p>\n

Very seldom do asthma attacks happen without warning. Knowing the signs of a pending attack could help you prevent an asthma emergency.\u00a0 In fact, acting quickly could save your life. Read on to learn about the warning signs to watch out for.<\/p>\n

Early Warning Signs of Asthma<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A lack of appetite, fatigue, headache, or coughing often comes before an asthma attack.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Trouble sleeping and feeling tired are other typical signs.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 So are dark circles under the eyes and less tolerance for exercise.<\/p>\n

A Persistent Cough<\/strong><\/p>\n

Signs of an asthma attack can change from one attack to the next. One time there may be little or no cough before an attack. The next time, there may be persistent cough, especially at night.<\/p>\n

An asthma cough is usually dry and hacking. A chronic or persistent cough that doesn\u2019t disappear after other cold symptoms are gone could point to asthma.<\/p>\n

Avoid taking cough medicine. Cough medicine won\u2019t help the asthma.<\/p>\n

Measurable Changes in Breathing<\/strong><\/p>\n

A peak flow meter can alert you to a pending attack. Be sure you always know your baseline measurement that reflects your best breathing.<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 If your peak flow shows numbers between 50% and 80% of your personal best, an asthma attack has probably started.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A number below 50% means an emergency that needs immediate attention.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Call 999 if you have trouble walking or talking due to shortness of breath, or if\u00a0 your lips are blue or gray.<\/p>\n

Follow Your Asthma Action Plan<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Based on peak flow measures, an action plan shows you what medicines to take and when. It\u2019s important to follow the plan and use the medications exactly as prescribed.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 If the symptoms still get worse after following the plan, call the doc. Also, follow the plan\u2019s emergency instructions.<\/p>\n

Breathing Difficulties<\/strong><\/p>\n

During an asthma attack, muscles around the airways tighten, and the airway linings swell.<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Too much mucus secretion occurs in the airways, and can block the air tubes in the lungs.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Air is trapped in the lungs and breathing becomes difficult, particularly expiration (exhaling).<\/p>\n

You might notice symptoms of wheezing at first. But as attacks get worse there\u2019s more chest tightness and shortness of breath. Eventually, you might feel like you can\u2019t get enough air.<\/p>\n

Posture Changes<\/strong><\/p>\n

The effort to breathe may make someone with severe breathing difficulties lean forward, speak in words instead of sentences, and become noticeably agitated.<\/p>\n

As the severity increases, an asthma sufferer may increasingly move into a hunched-over sitting position with their hands supporting their upper body. This is called the tripod position.<\/p>\n

Chest and Neck Retractions<\/strong><\/p>\n

When it\u2019s hard to breathe, the tissue in the chest and neck may sink in with each breath. This is called retraction.<\/p>\n

Retractions mean that not enough air is getting into the lungs, and are signs of a medical emergency. Call 999 or see the doc immediately.<\/p>\n

In children, other signs of deterioration in breathing are:
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Poor appetite
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Fatigue
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Decreased activity<\/p>\n

Blue Lips or Fingernails<\/strong><\/p>\n

Blue or gray lips or fingernails are a sign of not enough oxygen in the blood. The condition is called cyanosis.<\/p>\n

Cyanosis is an emergency situation. Call 999 as quickly as possible.<\/p>\n

Other Signs of Asthma Emergencies<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you notice any of the following, get emergency help at once;
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Difficulty talking
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Inability to exhale, or inhale
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Shortness of breath
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Feelings of anxiety or panic
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Coughing that won\u2019t stop
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Pale, sweaty face.<\/p>\n

See you next week. For real.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"How to Avoid an Asthma Emergency Very seldom do asthma attacks happen without warning. Knowing the signs of a pending attack could help you prevent an asthma emergency.\u00a0 In fact, acting quickly could save your life. Read on to learn…","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_cbd_carousel_blocks":"[]","footnotes":""},"categories":[49],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-94974","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-health-talk"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nHEALTH TALK: Asthma attack signs - Dominica News Online<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/dominicanewsonline.com\/news\/homepage\/columns\/health-talk\/health-talk-asthma-attack-signs\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"HEALTH TALK: Asthma attack signs - Dominica News Online\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"How to Avoid an Asthma Emergency Very seldom do asthma attacks happen without warning. 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