Asthma attacks account for a huge number of emergency room visits every year. Some asthma attacks are mild and can be treated by the patient him-or herself with an emergency inhaler. In the case of a severe attack, however, the patient should be taken to the hospital. Most asthma attacks are brought on by certain triggers, but attacks can occasionally occur spontaneously.
Asthma attacks vary not only from person to person, but from incident to incident in an individual. A patient might have very mild attacks some of the time, and more severe attacks at other times. Some patients notice that they are more prone to attacks at certain times of day; for example, early in the morning or late at night. It is important to recognize patterns such as this so that the patient can be prepared during “high-risk” times.

Complicating matters further is the fact that several other conditions have similar symptoms as asthma, and it can be hard to differentiate. Bronchitis, hyperventilation, panic or anxiety disorder, emphysema, and heart failure can all be mistake for asthma. Therefore, it is extremely important to discuss your potential diagnosis with a doctor if you experience any of these symptoms.

If you feel an attack coming on and you do not have an emergency inhaler, stop what ever you are doing and sit in a position that allows your chest to expand comfortably. Do not panic and try to force yourself to take deep breaths; instead, concentrate on taking slow, shallower breaths until you feel symptoms subside. If symptoms do not improve after several minutes, call an ambulance.