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What Is an Asthma Attack?

By Pat Bass, About.com

Updated January 20, 2009

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board

Question: What Is an Asthma Attack?
Answer: An asthma attack or flare is any acute change in symptoms such as shortness of breath, coughing, or wheezing that interrupts an asthmatic's normal routine and requires either extra medication or some other intervention to breathe normally again.
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