Asthma Attack

Asthma Attack questions and answers

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Q: Asthma Attack??
Hello, i would like to know something about asthma. If you have Asthma Attack and don't have an inhaler. Do you have to go to the hospital or dose it relax with care from family?? The reason why I'm asking this is, because i believe that i have asthma. And had an attack. But my mother said i was just hyperventilating. But in my past i had trouble breathing, and I'm a fair person in sports. So my mine questions are. - Dose Asthma Attack relax over time with care from family, or do the you need doctor care?? - Dose it look as if i have asthma? ----------------- Thanks

A: Naa!! you will know if you have asthma. Its different than hyperventilating. If you have a asthma attack you will feel like your chest is caving in and it will stop you in your tracks. To be on the safe side- go to the doctor and they will give you a breathing test to see if you have a mild case or not. Stay Golden!!

Q: How do I avoid an asthma attack after exercise?
I am 20 years old and have never had asthma. The last few times after my soccer games I have been coughing a lot, but today I had an actual asthma attack where I couldnt breathe, I had a lot of pressure on my chest, and I couldnt stop coughing. My brother has really bad asthma so I used his inhaler and I sat in the bathroom with steam from the shower and it went away. Is there a way for me to avoid having asthma after exercise? I normally never have asthma.

A: You need to see your GP who might refer you to a specialist and have an asthma treatment plan done immediately. They'll do a series of lung tests and then probably put you on a preventer. After being on that for a couple of days you should be fine to exercise but if you still feel out of breath try taking a few sprays from an inhaler before you work out and after if you need it. Hope this helps :)

Q: How long can an asthma attack actually last?
I started working at a metal recycling plant at the beginning of the year. Metal is grinded into very fine particles along with plastic at this particular facility, and although the office has its own air system, dust & particulate matter still enters in from the facility. I've never had a history of asthma or respiratory problems, but for 4 months, since I started working here, I've felt like I can't catch my breath when I'm at work, and it carries long into the evening, when I leave work. I'm being treated with Q-Var and Albuterol, but the rescue inhaler doesn't seem to be very effective. When an attack starts, it can last for days. I'm not gasping for air, but I have to take deep, forced breaths, it's very exhausting. It doesn't disrupt my sleep, I just have a slight wheeze at night. Has anyone else had a similar situation?

A: You need to see a physician! You have a serious problem with your asthma. It isn't uncommon at all, but can result in death.

Q: How can I keep from having an asthma attack when I exercise?
I have exercise induced asthma, have to take my medication before and after I exercise. This makes me uncomfortable, as I do not like to have to take too much medication. Is there a way to keep from having an asthma attack without having to take meds?

A: build up your tolerance to asthma by gradually increasing cardio and keep pushing yourself

Q: As a result of an asthma attack, can you get a migraine headache?
I have asthma and get migraine headaches. I've realized that when I get a sudden asthma attack from running up the stairs or walking far without breathing deeply, I get a throbbing and pulsating migraine. Are these connected? Because I can't take in enough air during an attack, are migraines a possible symptom because I can't get enough air to my head? I may sound strange or unintelligent, but I was just wondering... Thanks!

A: Asthma and migraine are not related as such. But the triggering factors for migraine like stress could precipitate an attack of migraine. jus keep your asthma under control that should do it. and if you get migraine attack more than 4 times a year then it need medication.

Q: When a severe asthma attack hits and nebs are needed?
If you're having a severe asthma attack, are you always able to set up your nebulizer by yourself in time? Or do you ever need to get a family member to help you b/c the attack has hit so hard? Does anybody live alone and if so, what would you do?

A: I keep it by my bed and before I go to bed (its always worse at night) I put my medicine in my neb. that way when an attack hits i take it right then all you have to do is hit the power switch, if not its there for the morning when i regularly take it. my husband works nights so he cant fix it up for me and this seems to be the best way. Always have it ready

Q: What goes on mentally/psychologically while you're recovering from a severe asthma attack?
A shy coworker had a severe asthma attack and you watched her fighting for each breath until the ambulance came to take her to the hospital. She was out for a few days and then returned to work. She's always been quiet and fairly shy, but her first day back she was even more so. What goes on mentally/psychologically while you're recovering from a severe asthma attack?

A: Mainly embarrasement afterwords, its hard for all your coworkers to see you at your most vulnerable.

Q: Is it common to have an Asthma attack 8 years after not having one?
Last night i had a very bad asthma attack that resulted in me being taken to hospital as i don't keep inhalers any more because i haven't had an attack since i was about 11 so i thought i grew out of it. I was given a Nebuliser and prescribed new reliever and preventer inhalers and steroid tablets. Is it common to go years without having an Asthma attack?

A: Asthma can not be cured and you do not outgrow it. I will always be there. You can be symptom free if you are not exposed to your asthma trigger but as soon as you come into contact with that trigger then the airway inflammation and bronchoconstriction will start. Now you may have been having this all along but it was not bad enough to notice. The myth of out growing asthma is when you are little, your body parts are little too including your airways. Little airways are easy to get clogged with airway inflammation. As you get older, your airways bet bigger too. They may get inflamed but air will still flow. So yes it is possible after all these years to have an asthma attack.

Q: What is the ingredient in perfume or Cologne that will trigger an asthma attack?
There is something in cologne/perfume that's not in body spray that triggers my asthma. I went out with a friend and he had on cologne and my asthma starting bothering me. Before going out my asthma hadn't bothered me in months because I stay away from things that may trigger an attack. My friend felt bad but it wasn't his fault. This often happens with other things like bleach, ajax or any bad odor.

A: Usually it is just certain scents for me that trigger an attack. Your friend may just be wearing either too much or the scent is too strong for you.

Q: How can you stop an asthma attack without an inhaler?
I've had asthma for a while now but no matter what i do when i get an asthma attack it takes forever to stop it if i dont have my inhaler. Any techniques to help stop one or atleast calm it down?

A: Many of the answers below could actually WORSEN your asthma, such as a humidifier, if your asthma is triggered by HUMIDITY, which many people have! Don't try these until you find out what your "triggers" are! For the time being, until you get yourself to a GOOD PULMONOLOGIST, try exhaling as completely as you can. This expels the "stale" air, with little or no oxygen in it. It may seem weird, to blow air OUT, since your instinct is to gulp it in...but it does work (I have asthma and have used this, w/success). Then, inhale, slowly and steadily, trying to calm yourself while doing so. The best prevention for asthma is to avoid things that trigger it, but it may not be possible in all cases. The next best thing is to get a full evaluation, with your primary care doctor and a specialist. There are many PREVENTIVE meds (including inhalers) that can reduce your need for a "rescue" inhaler drastically! Some preventive meds, are steroidal, like "Azmacort", and others are non-steroidal, but reduce inflammation or even prevent it, such as "Intal". You can even take a drug like "Accolate", by mouth, to reduce the frequency of attacks. Most docs WILL, however, recommend a "Rescue" (albuterol) inhaler, for sudden attacks. See a doctor ASAP, since asthma attacks CAN be fatal if not treated immediately! I know two people who died from it, with very little warning. You really can't play around with this, such as trying to use "mind control" or herbal meds. Check out the site below, for useful info about the disease and treatment options. Good luck!

Q: Is it bad to rest your head on a desk during an asthma attack?
I've noticed when I start wheezing during a bad attack, I will not have energy to keep my head up. As a result I will either hold my head in my hands, elbows propped on the desk/table. OR I will lie my head down on my arms, which are folded on the table/desk. Is this a bad thing to do during an asthma attack? Does anyone else do this when they're trying to focus on breathing due to lack of strength?

A: the very first thing asthmatics do to control their breathing during an attack is to cave forward. we lean forward, we bend forward, we rest forward on something. this allows for short shallow breaths that aren't as difficult to control. but what we REALLY need to do is get that air all the way down to the bottom of our lungs. otherwise our lungs will be "unused" and therefore very prone to infection plus other serious complications. instead, put your hands on your head and breath as best you can. panting is fine so long as you are also taking enormous breaths on and off to keep the lungs open. they can snap shut from ignorance and it hurts like hell to re open them again. you do it with forcing air in through intense breathing. i had to do it once and was screaming in pain with tears everywhere. it HURTS. so make sure you breath deep and keep your lungs able to work. but in an attack you do whatever you need to do to control and calm yourself. hands on head, light pacing, panting and breathing. counting. being calm. relaxing. failing putting hands on head, sit on the floor with your back against the wall. it's straight, and it's accessible if things go bad. and breathe as best you can. if possible, sit at the bottom of a shower and have hot water running. breathe the steam. it helps a lot of asthmatics. focusing on breathing is terrifying for asthmatics having an attack. it puts pressure on getting control of breathing and that pressure results in not feeling calm. feeling calm is ESSENTIAL to controling the attack. instead of thinking about breathing, i count. and i count and i count. i just keep counting in my head and i only go to 100, and then i start again. it calms me and i don't even think about breathing really.

Q: Is social withdrawal normal during a severe asthma attack?
I had a severe attack the other day and had to be taken to the ER. While I was having the attack and waiting for the ambulance, I seemed to socially withdraw and only stare as I was gasping for air and wheezing. I didn't make eye contact with anyone. Is social withdrawal normal during a severe asthma attack?

A: Um...how the hell do you plan to be 'social' when you are having an asthma attack? Aren't you going to be more concerned with being able to breathe again rather than the dude with the broken ankle sitting next to you in the emergency room? If you were attempting to be social in the midst of an asthma attack, I'd think you were downright nuts. Last time I had one I didn't care about one damn thing but getting oxygen to my lungs and my brain. Of all the things to worry yourself over...

Q: What do doctors give you to take when you are having an asthma attack?
my moms asthma is severe and they gave her presidonze which is a steriod and some antibiotic medicine to prevent an infection in her throat/lungs. Will she get better? she hasnt had an asthma attack? but has some inhaler which is i think albertrol

A: I take Albuterol, Singulair, Advair and Spiriva. During a severe attack I was prescribed with Prednisolone, which is also a type of steroid of some sorts. That helped a lot, especially since my oxygen level was low. Albuterol is used as a rescue inhaler. Like the term, it rescues you from an attack that is occurring. The other medications I mentioned will not stop an asthma attack. Rather, it works to prevent them from happening and reduce inflammation in the airways. Asthmatics don't ever fully recover - you have asthma for life. However, the medications are used to keep it under control. Keeping your doctor updated on your condition and having him evaluate you on a regular basis will help you keep it under control and learn how to manage it.

Q: What happens if you feel like your having an asthma attack but you don't have and inhaler?
Every time I feel like I am going to have an asthma attack I can't use an inhaler because my parents don't believe me when I say I have asthma no matter how many times I tell them. I was looking up the signs on the internet and I have a tickle in the back of my throat, I cough all the time, I have the shortness of breath and all the symptoms so I don't know why they don't believe me! Thank you to whoever answers this!

A: Kiddo I am sorry for you, Nothing is worse than not being able to breath! Next time you go to the doctor have the doctor lend your mother or father his stethoscope and have them listen to the wheezing. A cheap stethoscope can be purchased for about 10 bucks, the doc may even give you one. Then the next time you feel SOB have them listen to your lungs. If you aren't wheezing you don't want to use a bronchodilator. But if you are you should. The steam thing the one person answered is incorrect! it can exacerbate an asthma attack... don't do it. Drink strong regular tea iced or hot doesn't matter. It has natural theiophyline which works as a great bronchodilator.

Q: What should I do about an asthma attack? I currently have tightening in center of my chest and hard to breath.
What should I do about an asthma attack? I currently have tightening in center of my chest and hard to breath. I was diagnosed with a very very mild form of asthma a long time ago but never ever had problems before. I am wondering, should i go to doctor or should just pop some allegra d or singular? I do have allergies.

A: Allegra D might help, the d is the important part. Buy a Primetine mist. If it continues to be a problem, go to a doctor. There are prescription medicines that work way better than anything you can buy without a script. Albuteral is a good rescue inhaler [stops attacks]. Singular is an asthma prevention medicine, but it won't help an attack, takes hours to work.