Severe Asthma ToolkitSevere Asthma Toolkit
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  • Living with Severe Asthma
    • Overview
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    • Experience of Asthma Attacks
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Experience of Asthma Attacks

Home Living with Severe Asthma Experience of Asthma Attacks

Experiencing an Asthma Attack

People with severe asthma are at increased risk of asthma attacks. Asthma attacks are a significant worsening of asthma symptoms and lung function over time. Many people will experience multiple attacks over the course of the year, often requiring hospitalisation and oral corticosteroid treatment.

Attacks may result from a gradual worsening of asthma symptoms or following exposure to a disease trigger. They may develop slowly over hours days or weeks or very quickly. Exposures that may trigger attacks include allergen exposure (e.g. pollen) and lung infections.

signs and symptoms of an asthma attack, severe asthma attack, asthma exacerbation
The first signs of an asthma attack can include:

  • Difficulty breathing
  • Inability to speak full sentences
  • Tugging in of skin between the ribs and at the base of the neck
  • Cough or wheeze
  • Reduced response to reliever medications

Asthma attacks can be life-threatening, leading to:

  • Inability to speak
  • Confusion and exhaustion
  • Chest pain or tightness
  • Severe hypoxia
  • Unconsciousness
  • Death

Asthma attacks can be quite frightening and very serious, not only for the patients but also for the people around them. People with severe asthma report teaching their loved ones not to panic during an attack, as this does not help. Asthma attacks should be treated seriously, with immediate response with reliever medications. Emergency assistance should be contacted if no improvement occurs. A written asthma action plan should include details on actions to take during an asthma attack and when to go to the hospital.

While most patients report high quality paramedic and emergency department (ED) staff care, continuity of care can be an issue following acute episodes. This is an important issue, as any disease attack / exacerbation should prompt a full review of an individual’s asthma management plan.

Some hospitals (e.g. Hunter and New England Hospital) provide a ‘fast-track’ service for people with severe asthma, which reduces Emergency Department waiting times and provides targeted and specialist care.

“When you get into the real bad stuff….it feels like the snake on your arm just restricting…until you can’t breathe….when you get to that stage, it’s scary”
Video provided by Associate Professor Lorraine Smith and Ms. Daniela Eassey, University of Sydney.

Additional Resources:

  • Asthma Australia – Asthma emergency information, including guidance on how to respond
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Last Updated on February 12, 2019

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