Severe asthma symptoms in adults

During a severe flare, narrowed and inflamed airways make it harder to move air in and out. You may cough repeatedly, breathe quickly, feel exhausted, or struggle to walk across a room. Asthma is a common presentation of wheezing and chest tightness, but these symptoms can have other causes too. Triggers may include respiratory infections, allergens, smoke, exercise, or missed controller treatment. A sudden change from your usual pattern deserves attention.

Sit upright, stay as calm as possible, and follow the written asthma action plan if you have one. Use your prescribed reliever exactly as instructed; do not borrow another person’s inhaler. Remove yourself from smoke or a known trigger. If your inhaler is not helping promptly, symptoms are rapidly worsening, or you cannot use it effectively, seek emergency help. A nebuliser treatment may be used by clinicians when inhaled medicine needs to be delivered during an acute episode.

Call emergency services immediately for severe difficulty breathing, blue or grey lips, confusion, faintness, inability to speak in full sentences, or extreme drowsiness. Seek same-day medical assessment for a flare that keeps returning, nighttime symptoms, or increasing reliance on your reliever. Do not drive yourself if breathing is severely impaired.

Ask which symptoms should trigger emergency help, whether your inhaler technique is effective, and when your preventer treatment needs review. Discuss an action plan, trigger reduction, and how to handle asthma during an infection.