In patients with asthma, what is often observed during an attack?

During an asthma attack, patients typically experience bronchoconstriction, which narrows the airways and makes it more difficult to expel air from the lungs. This results in a prolonged expiratory phase. Patients may struggle to breathe out due to the inflammation and mucus production present during the attack, leading to air trapping and a characteristic wheezing sound during expiration.

The prolonged expiratory phase is a key sign in asthma attacks, as the difficulty in expelling air can extend the time it takes to breathe out, while the inspiratory phase often remains relatively unchanged or may even be shortened as a result of the patient's attempt to rapidly take in air. Understanding these mechanics of breathing can help in assessing the severity of an asthma attack and guiding appropriate treatment interventions.