An asthma attack has been compared to trying to take deep breaths of icy air on a bitter winter day. Breathing becomes more challenging and may physically pain the patient; there may be coughing as well. Breathing can take on a wheezing or whistling sound during the episode.
The noises and pain occur due to the lungs’ airways becoming narrower as the muscles surrounding the airways tighten. The inner lining of the airways balloon and push inward, while the membranes lining the airways secrete extra mucus, which can plug and further block the air passages. As the air rushes through the narrowed airways, the wheezing sounds typical of asthma are created.