Back Pain

Back pain is a rather untypical symptom for asthma. If back pain and asthma occur together, this can be an indication of two different causes for the complaints. It is more likely that chest pain or a feeling of tightness in the chest area occurs during an acute asthma attack. This can be caused by the narrowed airways.

Asthma attack symptoms

An acute asthma attack usually begins with rapidly increasing shortness of breath which ends in a more or less pronounced shortness of breath. It is often accompanied by coughing which is accompanied by a tough sputum. The shortness of breath can lead to other symptoms such as a tightness in the chest or anxiety.

Other possible symptoms caused by shortness of breath and the resulting physical stress are an increase in breathing rate (tachypnea) and palpitations (tachycardia). During exhalation, the breathing sounds typical of asthma, the so-called gulling and humming, can be heard. Exhalation: The lungs contract like a released rubber band! Inhalation: The diaphragm tightens and pulls the lung down, air flows

Asthma caused by medication

Certain drugs can trigger an asthma attack. Certain painkillers (analgesics) in particular can trigger an acute asthma attack. This is therefore also called analgesic asthma.

In particular, the active substances acetylsalicylic acid (ASA in aspirin) and drugs from the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as indomethacin, ibuprofen and diclofenac can provoke an asthma attack in asthmatics. Beta-blockers can also provoke an asthma attack because some beta-blockers have a constricting effect on the bronchial muscles. Therefore, patients with a known asthma bronchial beta blockers should only take beta blockers under a doctor’s prescription and when absolutely necessary.

Asthma after exercise

There are forms of asthma that are triggered by physical exertion. This is called exertion asthma or stress-induced asthma. The asthma attack can occur relatively at the beginning of the exertion but also after the end of the exertion.

The cause of exercise-induced asthma is discussed as drying of the bronchial mucosa due to increased breathing during exertion. This is said to lead to irritation of the already hypersensitive bronchial tubes. A further theory of its development is that increased inhalation of cold air leads to a cold irritation in the bronchial region.

If exercise-induced asthma occurs, asthma therapy should be discontinued. The aim is to achieve complete control of the asthma even under physical stress. Another possibility is to take an asthma spray a few minutes before a planned physical exercise.

Asthma due to stress

Stress is not the only trigger of asthma attacks. However, patients who suffer from asthma and are exposed to increased stress often have an increased risk of suffering an asthma attack. Therefore, mental hygiene with avoidance of stress situations also plays a role in the management of asthmatics.