Asthma is an increasingly common health condition in modern society. No doubt you've heard about it. But if you've never experienced an asthma attack, you probably don't know what goes on during one. If you suspect you have asthma, or just want to know more about it, here's some important information.

There are several typical symptoms of an asthma attack. These include coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. It's a serious situation, and can lead to death if untreated.

What causes an asthma attack? It's different for everyone. Some of the most common triggers are allergens such as dust, pollution, pollen, cigarette smoke and perfume. Indeed, allergies and asthma often go hand in hand. There are also other factors that can set off an asthma attack, including exercise, cold air, pressure changes, and viral infections.

An asthma attack takes place within the air passage to your lungs. There's a muscle located outside the airway that controls when it opens and closes. You don't have any control over this muscle; it's totally automatic. But allergens or the other factors that were pointed out above can cause it to constrict. When you have an asthma condition, the muscle reacts disproportionately to the the triggers, thereby causing an attack.

If the muscle tightens up, the air passage becomes constricted. It also gets clogged with mucus and the lining becomes swollen and inflamed. Normally, mucus in the airways is perfectly natural since it assists in the movement of air into the lungs. However, during an asthma attack, mucus production increases considerably, and it clogs the airway.

It's hard to breathe when this accumulation of mucus is present. As long as the excess mucus is in place, the asthma attack won't stop. That's why it's so important to treat your symptoms immediately with a prescribed medication.

Attacks are often only a few minutes in duration. However, a severe attack can last for hours or even days. You might experience a period of time without symptoms, but without proper treatment they'll be back.

It's important to check with your doctor right away if you think you have asthma. He or she will run some tests to diagnose the situation. They will also try to pinpoint the cause of your attacks. Once you know what your triggers are, it's essential that you avoid them as much as possible. You'll need to work closely with your doctor and follow the prescribed asthma treatment if you want to prevent future attacks. The attacks can be deadly, so don't ignore your symptoms.

Tags: shortness of breath, asthma, serious situation, Health, typical symptoms, excess mucus, allergies, allergy induced asthma