Asthma is characterized by inflammation (redness and swelling) of the conducting airways, causing their episodic narrowing (obstruction). Breathing through the narrowed airways causes its typical symptoms such as cough, wheezing, breathlessness, and chest tightness. The hallmark of asthma is its episodic nature and reversibility of obstruction.

There can be sudden worsening of symptoms called an acute flare. These flare-ups can happen due to exposure to certain “triggers” such as dust, irritant gases, smoke, pollen, chemical.

Exposure to a trigger

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Bronchospasm (airway narrowing)

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Acute onset of symptoms of asthma

An acute flare of asthma can be life-threatening. A child can present with any of the following symptoms:

• • Severe breathlessness/difficulty in breathing


• • Wheezing


• • Unable to talk/walk/feed normally due to severe shortness of breath


• • Feeling of extreme tiredness


• • Having to strain the chest muscles to breathe, flaring of nostrils while breathing


• • Drowsiness


• • Altered sensorium


• • Irritability


• • Confusion


• • Gasping for breaths


• • Blue lips/fingernails/face


• • Exhaustion


• • Fainting


• • Collapsing