Asthmais a lung condition in which the airways become inflamed and narrowed.

In silent asthma, no wheezing or coughing is present.

Silent chest can be associated with severe forms of asthma, includingstatus asthmaticusand fatal asthma.

man with chest discomfort

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This article discusses the causes of silent asthma as well as symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.

Silent chest usually precedes respiratory failure and is a life-threatening medical emergency.

Triggers

Triggers are anything that brings on asthma symptoms.

Identifying and avoiding asthma triggers can be an important part of your treatment plan.

Potential asthma triggers include:

Medications

Long-acting or maintenance medications for asthma work to prevent asthma attacks.

These include:

Short-acting or rescue medications for asthma relieve the symptoms of an acute asthma attack.

Asthma Action Plan

Another name for your treatment regimen is an asthma action plan.

This is known as silent asthma.

This form of asthma can include a mild to moderate variation of symptoms.

If you suspect silent chest, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.

While there is no cure for asthma, symptoms can be managed once a diagnosis is made.

Silent asthma may feel like a tightening of your chest, shortness of breath, and difficulty speaking.

You may also feel anxious and unable to hold still.

2020;48(5):300060520925683. doi:10.1177/0300060520925683

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