how does it feel like during an asthma attack?

Answer 1

An acute exacerbation of asthma is referred to as an asthma attack.
The clinical hallmarks of an attack are shortness of breath (dyspnea) and either wheezing or stridor.
Some patients present primarily with coughing, and in the late stages of an attack, air motion may be so impaired that no wheezing may be heard. When present the cough may sometimes produce clear sputum.
The onset may be sudden, with a sense of constriction in the chest, breathing becomes difficult, and wheezing occurs (primarily upon expiration, but can be in both respiratory phases).

Signs of an asthmatic episode include wheezing, rapid breathing (tachypnea), prolonged expiration, a rapid heart rate (tachycardia), rhonchous lung sounds (audible through a stethoscope), and over-inflation of the chest.
During a serious asthma attack, the accessory muscles of respiration (sternocleidomastoid and scalene muscles of the neck) may be used, shown as in-drawing of tissues between the ribs and above the sternum and clavicles, and the presence of a paradoxical pulse (a pulse that is weaker during inhalation and stronger during exhalation).

During very severe attacks, an asthma sufferer can turn blue from lack of oxygen, and can experience chest pain or even loss of consciousness.
Just before loss of consciousness, there is a chance that the patient will feel numbness in the limbs and palms may start to sweat. Feet may become icy cold.
Severe asthma attacks, which may not be responsive to standard treatments (status asthmaticus), are life-threatening and may lead to respiratory arrest and death. Despite the severity of symptoms during an asthmatic episode, between attacks an asthmatic may show few or even no signs of the disease.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

Well for one it's terrifying, I have been there a couple of times. Your chest tightens up severely and no matter how much you try to breath you cannot get enough air in. If not treated you gradually are able to breath in less and less air.

Answer 4

you can't breathe, you feel like a fish out of water. chest tighten's up, nonstop coughing, gasping for air. it's a terrible feeling....and taking the Albuterol to counteract the attack is sometimes worse than the ailment...your heart races, you sweat and shake all over.

Answer 5

It feels like you will never be able to breathe. My chest tightens and my lungs hurt. The intake of air is not the problem, it's breathing out that's the problem. I feel such panic.

Answer 6

You keep trying to get air into your lungs but no matter how hard you breathe in you cant get your lungs to expand. You start to panic because you feel like you are being smothered.