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An asthma attack is a sudden worsening of asthma symptoms. Asthma is a long-term condition that makes breathing difficult because airways in the lungs become narrow. Symptoms of asthma attack include coughing, wheezing, tightness in the chest and difficulty getting enough air.
Identify and avoid asthma triggers. A number of outdoor allergens and irritants — ranging from pollen and mold to cold air and air pollution — can trigger asthma attacks. Find out what causes or worsens your asthma, and take steps to avoid those triggers. Monitor your breathing.
What are the signs that I may be about to have an asthma attack? What can I take to prevent an asthma attack when my symptoms get worse, or when I'm exposed to my triggers? What steps do I need to take to stop an asthma attack in progress?
Is asthma the most likely cause of my breathing problems? Other than the most likely cause, what are other possible causes for my symptoms? What kinds of tests do I need?
A cold or the flu can trigger an asthma attack. Here's why — and how to keep your sneeze from turning into a wheeze. By Mayo Clinic Staff. If you have asthma, even a mild cold can lead to wheezing and tightness in your chest. Colds and the flu are among the most common causes of asthma flare-ups, especially in young children.
Learn how to recognize when you need to use quick-relief treatment or get emergency care.
Exercise-induced asthma is when the airways narrow or squeeze during hard physical activity. It causes shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, and other symptoms during or after exercise. The medical term for this condition is exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (brong-koh-kun-STRIK-shun).
Childhood asthma can cause irritating daily symptoms that interfere with play, sports, school and sleep. In some children, unmanaged asthma can cause dangerous asthma attacks. Childhood asthma isn't a different disease from asthma in adults, but children face unique challenges.
Cardiac asthma is not a form of asthma. It's a type of coughing or wheezing that occurs with left heart failure. Depending on how severe the symptoms are, this wheezing can be a medical emergency. Heart failure can cause fluid to build up in the lungs, a condition called pulmonary edema.
In some people, skin or food allergies can cause asthma symptoms. This is called allergic asthma or allergy-induced asthma. James T C Li, M.D., Ph.D., a Mayo Clinic allergy specialist, answers questions about the link between allergies and asthma.