Understanding Asthma and Oxygen Deprivation: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Asthma refers to a respiratory condition in which the lungs don't get all the air necessary at all times. When people with asthma experience symptoms, shortness of breath and tightness in the chest are common. When these symptoms become more severe, it can result in loss of oxygen.

Asthma Attacks

• Treatment for asthma ranges from pills to inhalers. These medicines typically prevent symptoms from expanding into a full-blown attack, but occasionally this is not enough. When an asthmatic experiences more severe symptoms or has no access to rescue medications, a full-blown asthma attack can occur.

Severe Attacks

• Asthma attacks impair access to an air supply, causing the person to experience shortness of breath. The YourLungHealth.org website states that the lack of oxygen during severe asthma attacks can cause a person to turn blue and render the person incapable of talking.

Results

• When loss of oxygen occurs to such an extent during an asthma attack, immediate medical intervention is required or the person can die. The Health Central website states that almost all asthma-related deaths are attributed to loss of oxygen as a result of a severe asthma attack.