How to define an asthma attack - Asthma Message Board

Rain820 · 08-10-2004, 08:36 AM

So, I have another question (okay I lied, questions!!). What exactly constitutes an asthma "attack"? Because as mentioned in my other thread, I often get the tightness in my chest, and sometimes pain along with the tightness. This bothers me most of all because sometimes the albuterol doesn't relieve it. Those times, I'd assume it could be acid reflux, but how the hell do you tell the difference, and can I then take meds for that after trying to relieve an asthma issue?

Sorry about that, i'm digressing...anyway, there are times when I'm a bit short of breath, not really gasping for air, but just that I don't feel like i'm breathing enough, if that makes sense. And other random times, I find myself coughing a bit, and/or clearing my throat. All of these things happen on any given day. So, according to the doctor, these are my allegeries, is it safe to say I have allergy related asthma? Or is my asthma separate from the allergies? And since I've been consistantly taking my medicines for a few weeks now, and I'm still having issues, does that mean it's not working, or should I expect to never feel 100% due to having allergies? And finally, my main question is are all the symptoms above an actual "asthma attack" or are they just leading up to one that I haven't actually had a full blown one yet? I'm kind of afraid of that too, because I'm not sure if what I have experienced thus far could be considered attacks, or just symptoms.

apriltones · 08-10-2004, 12:42 PM

good question, i have wondered this too!! love april

NancyH · 08-10-2004, 05:06 PM

Same here, I don't think I've had a full blown attack, tho I have mild asthma. There are times I've been sitting and feeling like I'm not getting enough air and on a verge of anxiety, I can take a deep breath but it is feeling stifled, like suffocating but not really. When I get that way I start to do something to get my mind off of it and it does go away in time, I've had it last for nearly weeks on end most of the day and then be gone for weeks. My chest will get a bit tight, I feel like I can't breathe right when I exhale it doesn't feel complete and so on. I do suffer from GAD and I get obsessive about my health. I've been told all those symptoms you describe can be asthma, as well as GERD which I have to. Chest tightness, cough, clearing your throat constantly(GERD especially) breathless, shortness of breath(which I don't even understand what that means by the way) are symptoms of both gERd and asthma, the asthma test is pretty definitive of the asthma, GERD can contribute to symptoms and even bring on an attack. GERD is diagnosed by endoscopic procedure, they contribute to each other so the research is finding. I've never had to use my asthma rescue inhaler or any asthma meds so I'm very mild. I hope you find a answere to the question as I wonder what my symptoms really mean to.

jp3892 · 08-11-2004, 03:03 AM

An asthma exacerbation does not necessarily havew to be relieved by ventolin. I used to get such exacerbations when I got a viral infection and no amount of ventollin wouldmake me feel better. It was only when I got to A/E and they put me on strong nebs that I made any progress!

Blondee15 · 08-11-2004, 10:14 PM

every person's attacks are as unique as they are & each attack is usually different also. attacks aren't always full blown, some are so mild you hardly notice. other times they are deadly. this is why you may see most of us call them flare ups, not attacks, b/c 99% of the time, something led up to the attack, it didn't just happen out of nowhere. if you are ever in doubt, it doesn't hurt to take a puff of your rescue inhaler or call the doctor. better safe than sorry.