With the onset of winter, patients with asthma often experience some sudden attack. During an asthma attack, also called an asthma exacerbation, the airways become swollen and inflamed. The muscles around the airways contract, causing your breathing (bronchial) tubes to narrow.

The key to stopping an asthma attack is recognising and treating an asthma flare-up early. Follow the treatment plan you worked out with your doctor ahead of time. This plan should include what to do when your asthma starts getting worse, and how to deal with an asthma attack in progress.

All asthma attacks require treatment with a quick-acting (rescue) inhaler.

If your asthma attacks seem to be set off by outside triggers, your doctor can help you learn how to minimise your exposure to them. Allergy tests can help identify your allergic triggers.

Washing your hands frequently can help reduce your risk of catching a cold virus.

If your asthma flares up when you exercise in the cold, it may help to cover your face with a mask or scarf until you get warmed up.

Asthma attacks can be serious. It can interrupt everyday activities such as sleep, school, work and exercise, causing a significant impact on your quality of life — and can disrupt the lives of those around you.

Serious asthma attacks mean you are likely to need trips to the emergency room, which can be stressful and costly.

A very severe asthma attack can lead to respiratory arrest and death.