During an asthma attack, several things happen in the airways of the lungs that make breathing difficult:
- The muscles around the bronchial tubes (airways) tighten or spasms (bronchospasm), narrowing the air passages.
- The lining of the airways becomes inflamed and swollen.
- The mucous membranes produce excess mucus, which further blocks the airways.
- This combination of muscle tightening, swelling, and mucus buildup causes the airways to narrow significantly, obstructing airflow.
- As a result, moving air in and out of the lungs requires much more effort.
- Symptoms during an attack include coughing, wheezing (a high-pitched whistling sound), breathlessness, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing.
- In severe attacks, it can be difficult to speak more than a few words at a time, people may struggle to breathe, and there can be bluish discoloration of lips due to lack of oxygen.
The overall effect is that the person experiences significant airway obstruction and impaired airflow, which can make breathing feel like “drowning in air.” The severity and duration of an attack can vary, lasting from a few minutes to several hours or days depending on the cause and treatment.
