Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSevere Asthma AttackRecovery TimeWhen to Seek HelpHow to RecoverFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Severe Asthma Attack
Recovery Time
When to Seek Help
How to Recover
Frequently Asked Questions
Asthmais a chronic lung condition that can range from mild to severe. Predicting the recovery time for asevere asthma attackcan be challenging, because everyone’s case is different. Typically, recovery time will take days to weeks, some of which may be spent in the hospital.
This article discusses how to identify a severe asthma attack, treatment options, and recovery times.
Verywell / Michela Buttignol
What Is a Severe Asthma Attack?
Asevere asthmaattack is an asthma attack that does not respond well tomedicationstypically used to manage a patient’s asthma at home.
The body’s response to severe asthma involves inflammation and constriction of the bronchioles (the smallest branches of the lungs' bronchial airways that move air). This narrowing of the airways makes it difficult to breathe and can cause a distinct sound calledwheezing.
Severe asthma isclassifiedbased on several factors, including what symptoms are present, whether the attack responds to medication, and how long the attack lasts.
Triggers of an Asthma AttackDifferent things can trigger a severe asthma attack, including:Upper respiratory tract infectionPollen, dust mites, dander, or moldsTobacco smoke or pollutantsChanging weather (heat, cold, humidity)Physical activity, which can bring onexercise-induced asthma
Triggers of an Asthma Attack
Different things can trigger a severe asthma attack, including:Upper respiratory tract infectionPollen, dust mites, dander, or moldsTobacco smoke or pollutantsChanging weather (heat, cold, humidity)Physical activity, which can bring onexercise-induced asthma
Different things can trigger a severe asthma attack, including:
Severe Asthma Attack Symptoms
A severe asthma attack will likely include some or all of the following:
A severe asthma attack should be treated in the emergency room for advanced treatment and may also require hospitalization for additional care.
Can You Die From a Bad Asthma Attack?
How Long Does It Take to Recover From a Severe Asthma Attack?
The amount of time required to recover from a severeasthma attackis highly variable among people. Studies show that people who have other underlying health conditions tend to take longer to recover. One study suggests an average recovery time of 1.7 weeks.
Some individuals require supplemental oxygen after a severe asthma attack.Blood oxygen levels can be measured using a saturation monitor, and if your levels are low enough you may need to be discharged on home oxygen (this is rare in asthma).
In addition to supplemental oxygen, a wide variety of medications may be used to decrease inflammation in the bronchioles and open the airways. These include inhaled or oralcorticosteroids, such as Qvar (beclomethasone), fluticasone, Pulmicort (budesonide), and Asmanex (mometasone).
After an asthma attack, people are usually prescribed oral steroids such as prednisone when they are sent home. They should also be sure to take any prescribed asthma controller medications like:
Who’s More Likely to Require a Hospital Stay?
Depending on your individual circumstances, it can take days to weeks to recover from a severe asthma attack.
People who need higher levels of supplemental oxygen tend to be hospitalized for longer periods of time. You will likely need to be weaned off of oxygen before you are discharged home.
Other factors that may require a longer hospitalization include:
When to Seek Medical Help
You should seek medical help for an asthma attack if your asthma is flaring and your asthma is not responding well to your home medications as prescribed.
After receiving necessary emergency care for an asthma attack, it’s recommended that you book an appointment with your healthcare provider to make sure your asthma action plan is adequate and you are on a good regimen to help prevent future asthma attacks.
You should call 911 or go to the emergency room if any of the following occurs:
If you experience worrisome symptoms that are not on this list, consult a healthcare provider as soon as possible.
Fatigue and stress are common symptoms after a severe asthma attack. You may become easily tired when you get up and move around. You may also find it difficult to sleep at night.
How to Recover From a Severe Asthma Attack
Some tips to recover from a severe asthma attack include:
Summary
The recovery time for a severe asthma attack varies and can take from days to weeks. It may also require hospitalization for supplemental oxygen. Recovery requires rest and follow-up care. Being in communication with your healthcare team and following their instructions will improve your recovery times.
A Word From Verywell
Suffering a severe asthma attack, especially one that requires hospitalization, can be an extremely frightening experience. Work with your healthcare team to develop an asthma treatment plan that can prevent severe asthma attacks. Also, talk to them about any trauma you may have following a severe asthma attack. Your healthcare team can provide you with resources, such as support groups, that help you recover in the healthiest way possible.
Frequently Asked QuestionsBeing prepared for an asthma attack is the key to remaining calm when one occurs. Make sure you know your asthma action plan and what to do. Talk to your healthcare provider about which medications to take when you are having trouble breathing, and any specific breathing exercises that may help when feeling anxious during an asthma attack.This depends on many factors, including what kind of work you do and what kind of activity it requires. In general, you can probably go back to work when you stop having symptoms like excessive fatigue and have been able to participate in normal activities at home. If you’re unsure, talk to your healthcare provider.Yes, it is possible to become unconscious during a severe asthma attack. This is a medical emergency that requires calling 911 or going to the emergency room.
Being prepared for an asthma attack is the key to remaining calm when one occurs. Make sure you know your asthma action plan and what to do. Talk to your healthcare provider about which medications to take when you are having trouble breathing, and any specific breathing exercises that may help when feeling anxious during an asthma attack.
This depends on many factors, including what kind of work you do and what kind of activity it requires. In general, you can probably go back to work when you stop having symptoms like excessive fatigue and have been able to participate in normal activities at home. If you’re unsure, talk to your healthcare provider.
Yes, it is possible to become unconscious during a severe asthma attack. This is a medical emergency that requires calling 911 or going to the emergency room.
3 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.American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Asthma attack.Jung CG, Park HS.Factors predicting recovery from asthma exacerbations.Allergy Asthma Immunol Res. 2016;8(6):479-480. doi:10.4168/aair.2016.8.6.479Abi Melhem R, Assaad M, El Gharib K, Rabah H, Kassem A, Salak J,et al.The Determinants of Eosinophilia in Patients With Severe Asthma.J Clin Med Res. 2024 Apr;16(4):133-137. doi: 10.14740/jocmr5162.
3 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.American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Asthma attack.Jung CG, Park HS.Factors predicting recovery from asthma exacerbations.Allergy Asthma Immunol Res. 2016;8(6):479-480. doi:10.4168/aair.2016.8.6.479Abi Melhem R, Assaad M, El Gharib K, Rabah H, Kassem A, Salak J,et al.The Determinants of Eosinophilia in Patients With Severe Asthma.J Clin Med Res. 2024 Apr;16(4):133-137. doi: 10.14740/jocmr5162.
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.
American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Asthma attack.Jung CG, Park HS.Factors predicting recovery from asthma exacerbations.Allergy Asthma Immunol Res. 2016;8(6):479-480. doi:10.4168/aair.2016.8.6.479Abi Melhem R, Assaad M, El Gharib K, Rabah H, Kassem A, Salak J,et al.The Determinants of Eosinophilia in Patients With Severe Asthma.J Clin Med Res. 2024 Apr;16(4):133-137. doi: 10.14740/jocmr5162.
American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Asthma attack.
Jung CG, Park HS.Factors predicting recovery from asthma exacerbations.Allergy Asthma Immunol Res. 2016;8(6):479-480. doi:10.4168/aair.2016.8.6.479
Abi Melhem R, Assaad M, El Gharib K, Rabah H, Kassem A, Salak J,et al.The Determinants of Eosinophilia in Patients With Severe Asthma.J Clin Med Res. 2024 Apr;16(4):133-137. doi: 10.14740/jocmr5162.
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