Asthma affects the lining of the bronchi and the bronchioles. These airways become inflamed and produce extra mucus. Smooth muscle tissue in the airways contracts, narrowing the passageways even further. Common symptoms of asthma include wheezing. shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing. Signs of an asthma emergency include extreme difficulty breathing, bluish tinge to the lips and face, severe anxiety, rapid pulse, and sweating.
People who do not manage their asthma carefully often miss work, frequently require treatment in hospital emergency departments, or may die of a severe attack. During acute attacks, the airways become significantly constricted, very little air passes through to the alveoli, and oxygen levels in the blood decrease. Without an adequate supply of oxygen, tissues in the body begin to die. However, the risks can be significantly reduced with careful management of the disease.