Asthma attacks, or asthma episodes, are periods of breathing difficulties that occur to patients with asthma. The symptoms of asthma attacks vary from person to person, and so does the severity of them. Mild asthma attacks can go away by themselves after a while, or with the help of prescribed medicine. But severe attacks may require a physician’s attention, or even a trip to the hospital.

An untreated asthma episode can lead to Status Asthmaticus – a severe asthma attack. This type of acute asthma attacks cannot be treated by rescue inhalers alone. Since the symptoms are not very different from the common symptoms of asthma attacks like coughing and wheezing, an acute attack is often hard to identify. Characterized by a shortness of breath, tightening of chest and throat, bluish fingertips and nails, and inability to speak in complete sentences   – severe asthma attacks can be fatal if not taken care of immediately. Instant action is required when a person shows severe asthma symptoms – he/she may need to go to the emergency room.

However, prevention is always better than cure.  And therefore, to be on the safe side, any unusual symptoms regarding breathing problems should be reported immediately. And medications should be kept close-by to provide fast relief from upcoming attacks.