Asthma attacks may start suddenly, or they may take a long time, even days, to develop. Proper treatment depends on whether these attacks are severe, moderate or mild.

Severe attacks cause you to become breathless. As you’re less able to breathe, you may have trouble talking, your neck muscles and the skin around your ribs may tighten, and your lips and fingernails may turn "blue." In the case of a severe asthma attack, take your asthma medicine immediately and get emergency medical help. People sometimes die from severe attacks.

Moderate and mild attacks are more common. You may feel your chest tightening gradually. You may start coughing or spitting up mucus, feeling restless, and making whistling or wheezing sounds when your breathe. If this happens, take your asthma medicine right away. Usually, this will open the air tubes within minutes, but may take a few hours. If your medicine does not relieve your symptoms, call your doctor.

In rare instances, after an asthma attack subsides you can develop a "second wave" attack that can be more severe than the first one. The air tubes may continue to swell, even when you are not having other asthma symptoms, making it harder to breathe. This second wave may last for days or even weeks after the first attack. If this happens, you may have to be admitted to the hospital in order to reduce the swelling and relax tightened muscles.

Sources: American Lung Asociation

The Health Alliance provides emergency departments throughout the Tristate at its hospitals:  The Christ Hospital, The University Hospital, The St. Luke Hospitals (East and West), The Jewish Hospital and The Fort Hamilton Hospital.