Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsAsthma EmergenciesCausesDiagnosisTreatmentCoping
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Asthma Emergencies
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Coping
Severe asthma symptoms can include wheezing, breathlessness that interferes with your ability to speak, eat, or sleep, and other symptoms like fast heartbeat and blue lips or fingers. When asthma symptoms like these can’t be controlled with daily medication, the condition is considered severe.
Severe asthma is usually treated with inhaled corticosteroids and often other long-term medications.
Verywell / Katie Kerpel
When to Call 911Call 911 if you or someone else experiences these signs of an asthma emergency:Severe wheezing or trouble breathingStruggling for each breath or can barely speak or cryFaintingLips or face that are bluish (or grey in people with darker complexions)
When to Call 911
Call 911 if you or someone else experiences these signs of an asthma emergency:Severe wheezing or trouble breathingStruggling for each breath or can barely speak or cryFaintingLips or face that are bluish (or grey in people with darker complexions)
Call 911 if you or someone else experiences these signs of an asthma emergency:
Symptoms of a Severe Asthma Attack
Asthma is considered serious or severe if you experience:
In severe asthma, the length of an attack varies depending on what triggered it and how inflamed your airways are. Severe attacks typically last longer than mild ones, with breathing problems persisting for several hours and possibly even a few days.
Can asthma kill you?In rare cases,severe asthma can be fatal. With the right treatment, however, symptoms can be controlled.
Can asthma kill you?
In rare cases,severe asthma can be fatal. With the right treatment, however, symptoms can be controlled.
When Is Asthma an Emergency?
There are four stages of asthma severity:
Even a person with intermittent asthma and no history of severe asthma can have an asthma emergency. Call 911 if you or someone else:
Call a healthcare provider or seek medical attention right away if you experience:
Take note that some people may not wheeze or cough during an asthma attack. This happens when a person’s airways are so restricted that they cannot get air through them at all. In cases like these, symptoms like blue skin or struggling to breathe may be the first signs you notice.
What Are the Causes of Severe Asthma?
Severe asthma may have a number of causes, including:
Asthma is a progressive disease. If it’s not treated properly, it can develop into a more serious condition. If you do not take preventive measures, you could suffer from frequent asthma attacks, which can cause the lungs to change. This can lead to severe asthma or other lung diseases.
Asthma Doctor Discussion GuideGet our printable guide for your next healthcare provider’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.Download PDFEmail AddressSign UpThank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up.There was an error. Please try again.
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How Is Severe Asthma Diagnosed?
Severe AsthmaSymptoms cannot be controlled with typical medication dosagesAdjustments in treatment not successful in controlling symptomsUncontrolled AsthmaMild or moderate asthma in which symptoms are not well-managed with your current medication planShould improve with treatment changes
Severe AsthmaSymptoms cannot be controlled with typical medication dosagesAdjustments in treatment not successful in controlling symptoms
Symptoms cannot be controlled with typical medication dosages
Adjustments in treatment not successful in controlling symptoms
Uncontrolled AsthmaMild or moderate asthma in which symptoms are not well-managed with your current medication planShould improve with treatment changes
Mild or moderate asthma in which symptoms are not well-managed with your current medication plan
Should improve with treatment changes
If you see your healthcare provider withsymptoms of severe asthma, they will likely adjust your asthma treatment plan to see if you improve. If your symptoms do not subside, it’s an indication your asthma has become severe.
Is severe asthma a disability?A person with a physical or mental impairment that severely limits major life activities is considered disabled Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Severe asthma is one of the many conditions included under this definition.
Is severe asthma a disability?
A person with a physical or mental impairment that severely limits major life activities is considered disabled Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Severe asthma is one of the many conditions included under this definition.
How Is Severe Asthma Treated?
To be properly treated for severe asthma, you may need to consult with several specialists, including apulmonologist,otolaryngologist(ear, nose, throat doctor), and anallergist.
A combination of treatments is often used to manage severe asthma. These may include:
If asthma symptoms do not improve after the use of a rescue inhaler, you should seek immediate treatment in an emergency room.
Other Treatments
Conditions such as allergies,nasal polyps, or sinus problems may also contribute to your asthma symptoms. If you have severe asthma, you should be evaluated and appropriately treated for these conditions.
Allergies, in particular, can greatly exacerbate asthma symptoms and should be managed appropriately.Immunotherapy(allergy shots) may be recommended.
Triggers such as exercise or allergies must be identified and avoided. Also, obesity can make asthma worse, so weight management may be an appropriate part of your treatment plan.
Non-medical treatment such as physiotherapy may be beneficial in conjunction with the above. A physiotherapist may teach you different ways of breathing, how to change your breathing patterns, relaxation techniques, or ways to modify your exercise routine so that you can still participate in physical activity despite your breathing problems.
How to Cope With Severe Asthma
Severe asthma can significantly impact your quality of life. Chronic breathing issues may make it hard to work and enjoy leisure activities. Those with severe asthma are at greater risk of hospitalization compared to those with mild or moderate asthma.
It’s important, therefore, to work closely with your healthcare provider to ensure you are appropriately following the treatment plan so you can maximize your tolerance for activity safely and effectively.
Also, consider consulting with a therapist to avoid depression, which is a common issue that people with severe asthma face.
Individuals with significant community and family support tend to have better treatment outcomes than those who lack these important resources. Seeking therapy and other support groups, like those online, can make a big difference in your mood and day-to-day ability to cope.
Summary
Although there is no cure for severe asthma, with treatment you can still live a normal life. The first-line treatment for severe asthma is oral or inhaled corticosteroids. A combination of treatments may be prescribed depending on your symptoms.
24 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Lommatzsch M, Virchow C.Severe asthma: Definition, diagnosis, and treatment.Dtsch Arztebl Intl. 2014 Dec;111(50):847-855. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2014.0847Papi A, Blasi F, Canonica GW, Morandi L, Richeldi L, Rossi A.Treatment strategies for asthma: Reshaping the concept of asthma management.Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol. 2020 Aug;16(1):75. doi:10.1186/s13223-020-00472-8Seattle Children’s.Asthma attack.Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.What are the symptoms of asthma?.National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Asthma symptoms.College of Asthma, Allergies, and Immunology.Asthma attacks.American College of Emergency Physicians.Asthma.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Common asthma triggers.Yung JA, Fuseini H, Newcomb DC.Hormones, sex, and asthma.Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2018 May;120(5):488-494. doi:10.1016%2Fj.anai.2018.01.016American Lung Association.The link between asthma and weight.Bellou V, Gogali A, Kostikas K.Asthma and tobacco smoking.J Pers Med. 2022 Jul;12(8):1231. doi:10.3390/jpm12081231Dixit R.Asthma and obstructive sleep apnea: More than an association!.Lung India. 2018 Jun;35(3):191-192. doi:10.4103/lungindia.lungindia_241_17American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Sinus infection.Egan M, Bunyavanich S.Allergic rhinitis: the “Ghost Diagnosis” in patients with asthma.Asthma Res Pract. 2015 Sep;1:8. doi:10.1186/s40733-015-0008-0American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Severe asthma.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Allergic pulmonary aspergillosis.National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD).Churg Strauss syndrome.Lee SH, Ban GY, Kim SC, et al.Association between primary immunodeficiency and asthma exacerbation in adult asthmatics.Korean J Intern Med. 2019 Jun;35(2):449-456. doi:10.3904%2Fkjim.2018.413American Lung Association.The health effects of smoking with asthma.Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Asthma, allergies, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).Cedars Sinai.Acute severe asthma.Andreasson KH, Skou ST, Ulrik CS, et al.Breathing exercises for patients with asthma in specialist care: A multicenter randomized clinical trial.Ann Am Thorac Soc. 2022;19(9):1498-1506. doi:10.1513/AnnalsATS.202111-1228OCDing B, Small M.Disease burden of mild asthma: findings from a cross-sectional real-world survey.Adv Ther. 2017 Apr;34(5):1109-1127. doi:10.1007%2Fs12325-017-0520-0American Lung Association.Severe asthma.
24 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Lommatzsch M, Virchow C.Severe asthma: Definition, diagnosis, and treatment.Dtsch Arztebl Intl. 2014 Dec;111(50):847-855. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2014.0847Papi A, Blasi F, Canonica GW, Morandi L, Richeldi L, Rossi A.Treatment strategies for asthma: Reshaping the concept of asthma management.Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol. 2020 Aug;16(1):75. doi:10.1186/s13223-020-00472-8Seattle Children’s.Asthma attack.Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.What are the symptoms of asthma?.National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Asthma symptoms.College of Asthma, Allergies, and Immunology.Asthma attacks.American College of Emergency Physicians.Asthma.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Common asthma triggers.Yung JA, Fuseini H, Newcomb DC.Hormones, sex, and asthma.Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2018 May;120(5):488-494. doi:10.1016%2Fj.anai.2018.01.016American Lung Association.The link between asthma and weight.Bellou V, Gogali A, Kostikas K.Asthma and tobacco smoking.J Pers Med. 2022 Jul;12(8):1231. doi:10.3390/jpm12081231Dixit R.Asthma and obstructive sleep apnea: More than an association!.Lung India. 2018 Jun;35(3):191-192. doi:10.4103/lungindia.lungindia_241_17American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Sinus infection.Egan M, Bunyavanich S.Allergic rhinitis: the “Ghost Diagnosis” in patients with asthma.Asthma Res Pract. 2015 Sep;1:8. doi:10.1186/s40733-015-0008-0American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Severe asthma.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Allergic pulmonary aspergillosis.National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD).Churg Strauss syndrome.Lee SH, Ban GY, Kim SC, et al.Association between primary immunodeficiency and asthma exacerbation in adult asthmatics.Korean J Intern Med. 2019 Jun;35(2):449-456. doi:10.3904%2Fkjim.2018.413American Lung Association.The health effects of smoking with asthma.Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Asthma, allergies, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).Cedars Sinai.Acute severe asthma.Andreasson KH, Skou ST, Ulrik CS, et al.Breathing exercises for patients with asthma in specialist care: A multicenter randomized clinical trial.Ann Am Thorac Soc. 2022;19(9):1498-1506. doi:10.1513/AnnalsATS.202111-1228OCDing B, Small M.Disease burden of mild asthma: findings from a cross-sectional real-world survey.Adv Ther. 2017 Apr;34(5):1109-1127. doi:10.1007%2Fs12325-017-0520-0American Lung Association.Severe asthma.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Lommatzsch M, Virchow C.Severe asthma: Definition, diagnosis, and treatment.Dtsch Arztebl Intl. 2014 Dec;111(50):847-855. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2014.0847Papi A, Blasi F, Canonica GW, Morandi L, Richeldi L, Rossi A.Treatment strategies for asthma: Reshaping the concept of asthma management.Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol. 2020 Aug;16(1):75. doi:10.1186/s13223-020-00472-8Seattle Children’s.Asthma attack.Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.What are the symptoms of asthma?.National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Asthma symptoms.College of Asthma, Allergies, and Immunology.Asthma attacks.American College of Emergency Physicians.Asthma.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Common asthma triggers.Yung JA, Fuseini H, Newcomb DC.Hormones, sex, and asthma.Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2018 May;120(5):488-494. doi:10.1016%2Fj.anai.2018.01.016American Lung Association.The link between asthma and weight.Bellou V, Gogali A, Kostikas K.Asthma and tobacco smoking.J Pers Med. 2022 Jul;12(8):1231. doi:10.3390/jpm12081231Dixit R.Asthma and obstructive sleep apnea: More than an association!.Lung India. 2018 Jun;35(3):191-192. doi:10.4103/lungindia.lungindia_241_17American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Sinus infection.Egan M, Bunyavanich S.Allergic rhinitis: the “Ghost Diagnosis” in patients with asthma.Asthma Res Pract. 2015 Sep;1:8. doi:10.1186/s40733-015-0008-0American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Severe asthma.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Allergic pulmonary aspergillosis.National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD).Churg Strauss syndrome.Lee SH, Ban GY, Kim SC, et al.Association between primary immunodeficiency and asthma exacerbation in adult asthmatics.Korean J Intern Med. 2019 Jun;35(2):449-456. doi:10.3904%2Fkjim.2018.413American Lung Association.The health effects of smoking with asthma.Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Asthma, allergies, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).Cedars Sinai.Acute severe asthma.Andreasson KH, Skou ST, Ulrik CS, et al.Breathing exercises for patients with asthma in specialist care: A multicenter randomized clinical trial.Ann Am Thorac Soc. 2022;19(9):1498-1506. doi:10.1513/AnnalsATS.202111-1228OCDing B, Small M.Disease burden of mild asthma: findings from a cross-sectional real-world survey.Adv Ther. 2017 Apr;34(5):1109-1127. doi:10.1007%2Fs12325-017-0520-0American Lung Association.Severe asthma.
Lommatzsch M, Virchow C.Severe asthma: Definition, diagnosis, and treatment.Dtsch Arztebl Intl. 2014 Dec;111(50):847-855. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2014.0847
Papi A, Blasi F, Canonica GW, Morandi L, Richeldi L, Rossi A.Treatment strategies for asthma: Reshaping the concept of asthma management.Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol. 2020 Aug;16(1):75. doi:10.1186/s13223-020-00472-8
Seattle Children’s.Asthma attack.
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.What are the symptoms of asthma?.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Asthma symptoms.
College of Asthma, Allergies, and Immunology.Asthma attacks.
American College of Emergency Physicians.Asthma.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Common asthma triggers.
Yung JA, Fuseini H, Newcomb DC.Hormones, sex, and asthma.Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2018 May;120(5):488-494. doi:10.1016%2Fj.anai.2018.01.016
American Lung Association.The link between asthma and weight.
Bellou V, Gogali A, Kostikas K.Asthma and tobacco smoking.J Pers Med. 2022 Jul;12(8):1231. doi:10.3390/jpm12081231
Dixit R.Asthma and obstructive sleep apnea: More than an association!.Lung India. 2018 Jun;35(3):191-192. doi:10.4103/lungindia.lungindia_241_17
American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Sinus infection.
Egan M, Bunyavanich S.Allergic rhinitis: the “Ghost Diagnosis” in patients with asthma.Asthma Res Pract. 2015 Sep;1:8. doi:10.1186/s40733-015-0008-0
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Severe asthma.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Allergic pulmonary aspergillosis.
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD).Churg Strauss syndrome.
Lee SH, Ban GY, Kim SC, et al.Association between primary immunodeficiency and asthma exacerbation in adult asthmatics.Korean J Intern Med. 2019 Jun;35(2):449-456. doi:10.3904%2Fkjim.2018.413
American Lung Association.The health effects of smoking with asthma.
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Asthma, allergies, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Cedars Sinai.Acute severe asthma.
Andreasson KH, Skou ST, Ulrik CS, et al.Breathing exercises for patients with asthma in specialist care: A multicenter randomized clinical trial.Ann Am Thorac Soc. 2022;19(9):1498-1506. doi:10.1513/AnnalsATS.202111-1228OC
Ding B, Small M.Disease burden of mild asthma: findings from a cross-sectional real-world survey.Adv Ther. 2017 Apr;34(5):1109-1127. doi:10.1007%2Fs12325-017-0520-0
American Lung Association.Severe asthma.
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