Asthma Attack Emergency Care in Houston

Having Trouble Breathing? Go to the Nearest ER.

While waiting for help, make sure you or the person who is having trouble breathing has access to their inhaler. If the inhaler fails to provide relief, seek emergency treatment. Try to keep calm, as anxiety can exacerbate asthma attacks. Involving emergency medical personnel is the right decision, so take comfort in knowing you’ve made the taken the right first step.

Am I Having an Asthma Attack?

Breathing difficulties are cause for concern, particularly if you suffer from a condition like asthma, where you may have tightness in your chest and you cough and wheeze. In severe asthma attacks, when the airways become inflamed, typical asthma medications don’t work and immediate medical attention is required. Asthma attacks can be minor and respond to prompt home treatment, but those that are severe in nature are characterized by intense sweating, dizziness, nausea, hyperventilating, rapid pulse, and pale, clammy skin.

Emergency Asthma Attack Treatment

ER treatment for an asthma attack includes medication administration for immediate relief, which may include short-acting beta-agonists, oral corticosteroids, ipratropium, or intubation with mechanical ventilation and oxygen for life-threatening asthma attacks. Once your asthma is sufficiently under control, your doctor will likely discharge you from the hospital and give you instructions on how to control any subsequent asthma attacks. If your asthma doesn’t improve with ER treatment, your Sacred Heart ER doctor may have you transferred to a nearby hospital for admittance to an intensive care unit (ICU) for round-the-clock care.