Asthma Attacks

• An asthma attack occurs when the body overreacts to an allergen. The lungs of an asthma sufferer are already constricted by the tightening of the bronchial muscles. When exposed to an allergen, the lungs release mucus, filling the bronchial tubes and restricting air flow to and from the lungs. During this attack, the oxygen level in the body drops. Essentially, the lack of oxygen caused by an asthma attack has the same effect on the body as suffocation. If untreated, asthma attacks can lead to death.
  
  

Shortness of Breath

• The tightness of the lungs frequently causes shortness of breath. The reduced size of the bronchial tubes leads to less oxygen absorption by the body. The body reacts by increasing the number of breaths in an attempt to take in the same amount of oxygen unrestricted lungs take in. Shortness of breath is the feeling of the repeated inhalations of breath brought on by a decreased oxygen level in the body.
  
  

Airway Remodeling

• Airway remodeling is the permanent narrowing of the bronchial tubes caused by long-term inflammation. People with airway remodeling have faced many years with inadequate asthma treatment. This permanent narrowing results in difficulty breathing and an increased risk for severe asthma attacks because the airways are already restricted.
  
  

Status Asthmaticus

• Status asthmaticus refers to a series of asthma attacks without any breaks between them. This is a serious medical problem that many times leads to hospitalization. Status asthmaticus and the constant asthma attacks associated with it leads to respiratory fatigue from constantly battling to breathe.
  
  

Nummular Eczema

• Individuals with asthma can develop a condition known as nummular eczema, which causes itchy, coin-shaped lesions to form on the skin. These lesions usually occur in response to irritants such as allergens, chemicals or temperature changes. Having asthma, allergies and atopic dermatitis combined raises the risk of developing nummular eczema.