Similar reactions can occur with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents and tartrazine, and asthmatics should avoid these products. These irritants can be found in the workplace and may be responsible for 5 to 10 percent of asthma attacks. You're having an asthma attack. Your bronchial tubes narrow in response to any one or more of the above mentioned triggers. During an attack, the narrowed breathing tubes and air passages restrict the airflow and exhaling becomes increasingly difficult.
Air is trapped behind the narrowed bronchial tubes and decreased oxygen is available to the body.
If the attack is mild, it may last only a few hours and resolve spontaneously or with medication. However, if the attack is severe it could last days or even weeks. A severe attack can respond to medication, but hospitalization may be required. The allergist from whom you are seeking treatment will instruct you on what to do during an attack. A bronchodilator may be taken orally, injected, or inhaled and will relax the muscles surrounding the airways and dilate the bronchial tubes, thus making breathing easier.