Although in most cases asthma symptoms are relieved or well controlled by therapy, sometimes this is not the case. Because asthma can be a serious and even life-threatening disease, it is important for you to be able to recognize some of the warning signals of a severe attack. Obtaining less than the expected degree of relief from your medications is probably one of the best tipoffs of an impending severe attack. Another is discovering that you are using your medications more and more frequently. Still another clue is observing a less-than-normal improvement in lung function as the day progresses. And finally, not improving at all or finding a worsening in lung function generally heralds a very severe attack. You should also regard seriously any increase in coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath, and promptly seek medical attention.

Happily, only a tiny fraction of all asthmatics ever need emergency care. Thanks to the convenient and effective therapies currently available, most can expect to lead reasonably normal and productive lives.