How Asthma Works on the Airway
during an Asthma Attack

How asthma works on the airway during an asthma attack is explained here in detail:

The worsening of asthma symptoms is called an asthma episode or an asthma attack in severe cases. The  muscles that surround the broncial tubes contract and due to this during an asthma attack less air flows through the ariways. As the inflammation get worse the airways become narrow and swollen at the same time. This process is called bronchoconstriction. The cells in the airways also make more mucus than usual and this narrows the airways further. There exist certain triggers that can cause the muscles of the air passages to squeeze. These changes to the airways cause the asthma symptoms. Then it probably will be difficult for air to pass through the lungs and the oxygen levels in the blood decrease.

The symptoms of an asthma attack are caused by inflamed and narrow airways blocked by mucus. This could lead to a whistling noise and tightness in the chest. Wheezing and coughing are well known symptoms as well as breathlessness and breathing difficulties.

Though these attacks may occur spontaneously, there are several signs of warning that can be noticed before an asthma attack would happen. These signs can be dizziness or/and light-headedness. Some people would suffer from an irritating cough that could lead to an asthma episode. Sometimes you would just have an itchy nose or skin that can be warning signs as well.

What happens during an Asthma Attack?

Asthma attacks occur when the bronchi and bronchioles become inflamed, this reduces the space throughout which air travels through the lungs. This causes the asthmatic victim to work harder to move air in and out of their lungs.

Asthma attacks usually begin with a dry cough and mild chest heaviness. As an attack grows, wheezing develops and increases in pitch; breathing becomes more difficult and coughing produces thick, stringy mucus.

As the airway irritation prevents some of the oxygen-rich air from reaching the alveoli in the lungs, the cells of the body start burning oxygen at a higher rate, which increases the body’s demand for oxygen.

The frequency of asthma attacks varies considerably among asthma suffers. Some people have daily attacks, while others can go months or even years without having an attack.

If the body is exposed to a trigger it is causes to produce higher amounts of a several substances that normally occurs in the lungs of everybody in a lower degree. These substances now cause the air passages to swell and get narrow. Leukotrienes are one of these substances and have been brought in connection with the symptoms of asthma.

The contraction of muscles around the airways and extreme mucus and inflammation therein leads to swelling of air passages. These different symptoms make the airways narrow.

Severe Asthma Attacks

Some asthma attacks are worse than others. If a severe asthma attack occurs it is a medical emergency as people can die from it, because the airways can close to such an extend that not enough oxygen reaches the vital organs anymore. A person suffering from an asthma attack has a sensation similar to drowning.

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Asthma Sign and Symptom