Images
(2)-
Your immune system -
Asthma attack
Video
(6)-
Video: Using a metered dose asthma inhaler and spacer
-
Video: How to use a dry powder tube inhaler
-
Video: How to use a peak flow meter
-
Video: How to use a dry powder disk inhaler
- see all
Free
E-newsletter
Subscribe to Housecall
Our weekly general interest
e-newsletter keeps you up to date
on a wide variety of health topics.
close window
Mayo Clinic Housecall
Stay up to date on the latest health information.
What you get
- Free weekly e-newsletter
- Mayo Clinic expertise
- Recipes, tools and other helpful information
- We do not share your e-mail address
Video
Video: An asthma attack
By Mayo Clinic staffTranscript
When you're not having asthma symptoms, your airways are clear. Air can easily flow in and out of your lungs.
When an asthma attack begins, the smooth muscles around the outside of the tubes may tighten. The airways, or bronchial tubes, in the lungs become inflamed and swollen.
This makes it difficult for air to pass through the opening. The mucous membrane lining in the tubes begins to produce thick mucus, which builds up and further blocks the airways.
This tightened airway may result in a wheezing sound and shortness of breath — signs and symptoms of an asthma attack.
VIDEO HELP
If the video does not play, you may need to download and install the latest version of the Adobe Flash Player. For additional troubleshooting tips, browse the Multimedia FAQ.
References
- Expert panel report 3 (EPR-3): Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of asthma. National Institutes of Health. Bethesda, Md. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/asthma/asthgdln.htm. Accessed Oct. 22, 2012.
Share on:
Find Mayo Clinic on