![]() Identifying warning signs and taking steps to prevent asthma episodes can help keep asthma well-controlled. You may have these signs before you start to have more obvious asthma symptoms. Sometimes you may have early warning signs that an asthma episode is coming. Call 911 or go directly to the emergency room.įollow up with your provider within two days of an emergency department visit or hospital stay.Įarly Warning Signs of an Asthma Episode or Attack Take your quick-relief medicines right away as directed on your Asthma Action Plan and then get immediate medical attention. Red/Danger Zone symptoms are a medical emergency. Infants with asthma in respiratory distress may have bobbing head, grunting, floppy body, or be irritable, agitated, cranky, and/or lethargic (sluggish).Working harder to breathe (nasal flaring, skin is sucking in around and between ribs or above the sternum, or exaggerated belly movement or belly breathing).Nasal flaring – nostrils open wide/flare (may be rare in adults).Infants with asthma who fail to respond or recognize parents.Signs and symptoms of a severe asthma episode in infants, toddlers, and children: Infants, toddlers, and children may have different asthma emergency signs and symptoms than adults. Cyanosis, a tissue color change on mucus membranes (tongue, lips, and around the eyes) and fingertips or nail beds – the color appears grayish or whitish on darker skin tones and bluish on lighter skin tones.Expanded chest that does not deflate when you exhale.Ribs or stomach moving in and out deeply and rapidly.Chest retractions (skin sucks in between or around the neck, chest plate, and/or rib bones when inhaling this is rare in adults).Trouble walking or talking due to shortness of breath.Breathing is faster or slower than normal.Asthma quick-relief medicines are not helping.Signs and symptoms of an asthma emergency that need urgent medical care: Severe asthma episodes can be life-threatening. If your breathing does not improve quickly, get emergency help. If you are in the Red/Danger Zone, take your quick-relief medicines. If you are in the Yellow/Caution Zone two or more times per week, it is a sign your asthma is not controlled and you may need to contact your health care provider (doctor). If your quick-relief medicines don’t help and your symptoms do not improve, call your doctor. Monitor your symptoms until they improve. This may be one quick-relief medicine (like albuterol), a quick-relief medicine and controller taken one right after each other, or a combination inhaler. Take your asthma medicines as listed on your Asthma Action Plan at the first sign of symptoms when you are in the Yellow/Caution Zone. Having breathing difficulty when sick with a cold or respiratory illness.Having any signs or symptoms after an exposure to a known trigger.Signs and symptoms that your asthma is getting worse include: You are in the Yellow/Caution Zone when you first start having asthma signs or symptoms. When you are in the Green/Go Zone, your asthma is well-controlled. This will be listed on the Green/Go Zone of the plan. ![]() If exercise is an asthma trigger, your Asthma Action Plan may have you take quick-relief medicine before you exercise to prevent asthma symptoms before you begin (sometimes referred to as “pre-treatment”). You are in the Green/Go Zone if you have all of these: Take your control or preventive medicines as directed (if prescribed). ![]() Take your asthma medicines as directed on your Asthma Action Plan, and always take your quick-relief medicines at the first sign of symptoms. If you do not have an Asthma Action Plan, you can download and email AAFA’s Asthma Action Plan (available in English and Spanish) to your doctor or print a copy for your doctor to fill out. Talk with your doctor about your symptoms and steps to manage them. An Asthma Action Plan is a document that tells you how to manage your asthma according to your symptoms. If you have asthma, work with your doctor to make an Asthma Action Plan. You may only have one symptom, or you may have many symptoms. Not everyone with asthma has the same symptoms. A drop in your peak flow meter reading (if you use one).Wheeze (a whistling sound when you breathe).Mild symptoms may only last a few minutes while more severe asthma symptoms can last hours or days.īreathing becomes difficult and stressful, like trying to breathe through a straw stuffed with cotton.Ĭommon signs and symptoms of asthma include: This causes asthma symptoms, also known as an asthma episode, flare-up, or attack. This makes it harder for air to flow easily through your airways, and it becomes harder to breathe. This swelling, clogging, and muscle tightening makes your airways smaller or narrower. Muscles tighten and squeeze around the airways.There are three changes in your airways when you have asthma:
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