What’s The Recovery Time After a Severe Asthma Attack?

Asthma is a chronic lung condition that can range from mild to severe. Predicting the recovery time for a severe asthma attack can be challenging, because everyone's case is different. Typically, recovery time will take days to weeks, some of which may be spent in the hospital.

This article discusses how to identify a severe asthma attack, treatment options, and recovery times.

What Is a Severe Asthma Attack?

A severe asthma attack is an asthma attack that does not respond well to medications typically used to manage a patient's asthma at home.

The body's response to severe asthma involves inflammation and constriction of the bronchioles (the smallest branches of the lungs' bronchial airways that move air). This narrowing of the airways makes it difficult to breathe and can cause a distinct sound called wheezing.1

Severe asthma is classified based on several factors, including what symptoms are present, whether the attack responds to medication, and how long the attack lasts.

Severe Asthma Attack Symptoms

A severe asthma attack will likely include some or all of the following:

• Extreme difficulty breathing and shortness of breath even when resting
• Inability to speak with the exception of single words
• Loud wheezing or, in rare and extremely serious cases, wheezing is completely absent
• Visible severe lung retractions
• Decreased oxygen that may cause cyanosis (lips or fingers turn blue)

A severe asthma attack should be treated in the emergency room for advanced treatment and may also require hospitalization for additional care.

How Long Does It Take to Recover From a Severe Asthma Attack?

The amount of time required to recover from a severe asthma attack is highly variable among people. Studies show that people who have other underlying health conditions tend to take longer to recover. One study suggests an average recovery time of 1.7 weeks.2

Some individuals require supplemental oxygen after a severe asthma attack.3 Blood oxygen levels can be measured using a saturation monitor, and if your levels are low enough you may need to be discharged on home oxygen (this is rare in asthma).

In addition to supplemental oxygen, a wide variety of medications may be used to decrease inflammation in the bronchioles and open the airways. These include inhaled or oral corticosteroids, such as Qvar (beclomethasone), fluticasone, Pulmicort (budesonide), and Asmanex (mometasone).

After an asthma attack, people are usually prescribed oral steroids such as prednisone when they are sent home. They should also be sure to take any prescribed asthma controller medications like:

• Inhaled corticosteroids/long-acting bronchodilator combinations such as Symbicort (budesonide/formoterol)
• Leukotriene receptor antagonists like Singulair (montelukast)
• Biologics such as Fasenra (benralizumab)

Who's More Likely to Require a Hospital Stay?

Depending on your individual circumstances, it can take days to weeks to recover from a severe asthma attack.

People who need higher levels of supplemental oxygen tend to be hospitalized for longer periods of time. You will likely need to be weaned off of oxygen before you are discharged home.

Other factors that may require a longer hospitalization include:

• Chronic health conditions, such as poor underlying lung function, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), obesity, sleep apnea, chronic smoking, or heart conditions
• Not adhering to your asthma medications
• If you have a viral infection that triggered the attack, such as RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) or the flu
• Older age

When to Seek Medical Help

You should seek medical help for an asthma attack if your asthma is flaring and your asthma is not responding well to your home medications as prescribed.

After receiving necessary emergency care for an asthma attack, it's recommended that you book an appointment with your healthcare provider to make sure your asthma action plan is adequate and you are on a good regimen to help prevent future asthma attacks.

You should call 911 or go to the emergency room if any of the following occurs:

• Your breathing difficulty, including wheezing, continues to worsen despite using a rescue inhaler.
• You cannot talk normally due to shortness of breath, and it does not immediately begin to subside with a rescue inhaler.
• You have bluish skin on your lips, face, fingertips, or around the eyes from cyanosis.
• You cannot stop coughing.
• You have chest pain.
• You are using rescue medications more frequently than once every four hours.
• You have a fever over 104 degrees.
• You are experiencing moderate or severe symptoms and you do not have a rescue inhaler.

If you experience worrisome symptoms that are not on this list, consult a healthcare provider as soon as possible.

How to Recover From a Severe Asthma Attack

Some tips to recover from a severe asthma attack include:

• Rest: Having a severe asthma attack can be scary and stressful. The stress response can result in fatigue. It takes time and rest for your body to recover.
• Book a follow-up appointment: This is an opportunity to ensure that your asthma action plan is as up-to-date and effective as possible. Your healthcare provider can review the conditions that led to your asthma attack and adjust your medications or make suggestions that can help you to avoid future attacks.
• Take medications as prescribed: Poor adherence to medications has been identified as a trigger for asthma attacks and a factor that leads to a more difficult recovery.2 If you have questions or concerns about your medications, talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist.
• Do not overexert yourself: You may find yourself becoming tired after even a small amount of exercise or movement. This is common after a severe asthma attack. Give it time and listen to your body.
  

Summary

The recovery time for a severe asthma attack varies and can take from days to weeks. It may also require hospitalization for supplemental oxygen. Recovery requires rest and follow-up care. Being in communication with your healthcare team and following their instructions will improve your recovery times.

A Word From Verywell

Suffering a severe asthma attack, especially one that requires hospitalization, can be an extremely frightening experience. Work with your healthcare team to develop an asthma treatment plan that can prevent severe asthma attacks. Also, talk to them about any trauma you may have following a severe asthma attack. Your healthcare team can provide you with resources, such as support groups, that help you recover in the healthiest way possible.