[Analysis of perception in patients during an acute attack of bronchial asthma]

An analysis of subjective sensations during an asthmatic attack in 51 asthma patients was performed. A difficult inspiration or inspiration and expiration was the most prevalent sensation, while isolated difficult expiration was only sparse finding. A tightness on the chest was often noticed as well. The probable explanation for these observation could be the breathing a high lung volume (hyperinflation), caused by closing small airway a mostly due to bronchoconstriction during the asthmatic attack. The authors suggest not to generally use the term "expiratory breathlessness" when describing the clinical picture of an asthmatic attack.