During an asthma attack, the muscles around the airways tighten, a condition known as bronchospasm. The insides of the airways becomes red and swollen (inflamed), and the airway lining cells start producing greater and thicker amount of mucus. These three conditions – namely bronchospasm, inflammation and production of mucus – lead to rapid worsening of the common asthma symptoms, such as wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath.

In particular, the following symptoms are present during an asthma attack:

Some of these symptoms may be due to other conditions such as vocal cord dysfunction, bronchitis and heart failure. However, though often mild in nature initially, these can exacerbate rapidly, leading to an asthma attack.  That’s why every person with asthma must know about these symptoms.

After a symptom is detected, one should seek for immediate treatment. Without due treatment, the lungs continue to constrict. Wheezing will stop due to lack of air movement. This serious condition is known as “silent chest”. The amount of oxygen in the blood continues to decrease. This changes the color of the lips to blue, a condition known as “cyanosis”.