Asthma attacks can be downright terrifying. If you or someone you love has asthma, you should visit a doctor at least once a year to talk about your symptoms and treatment options. But sometimes, even the best treatments can’t prevent an asthma attack. So it is very important to know what to do in case of asthma attack, either to help yourself or to help others who is suffering. Besides, you should also learn about the proper preventions and managements to reduce the risk of such attack.
What to Do in Case of Asthma Attack
When an asthma attack happens, panic is often the first response. Trying to stay calm will go a long way toward helping your treatments work. Here are other points to remember in case of asthma attack.
How to Help Yourself in Case of Asthma Attack
- Sit down and take slow, steady breaths.
- Take one or two puffs of your rescue inhaler and continue to breathe as steadily as you can.
- Every few minutes, take another puff of your inhaler. Experts recommend that you take up to ten puffs.
- If it doesn’t feel as though you are getting any better, call emergency services while you continue to treat the problem yourself.
How to Help Adults in Case of Asthma Attack
- When an adult has an asthma attack, first ask them if they have an inhaler.
- If they do, sit them in a comfortable place, loosen their clothing, try to keep them calm and help them use their inhaler.
- If they don’t have an inhaler, quickly find an emergency kit if possible, and use an inhaler you find there. If you are in a public place, ask passersby if they might have an inhaler.
- To help them use the inhaler, put the mouthpiece into their mouth, then ask them to breathe as deeply as they can while you press down to deliver a puff of medication. They should hold it in if they can.
- Wait one minute between puffs, assuming more puffs are necessary.
This video will teach what to do when an adult is having an asthma attack
How to Help Children in Case of Asthma Attack
- A child might not be able to articulate an asthma attack the way adults can, so it is important to swing into action immediately. Ask someone to call the child’s doctor, or call emergency services if they child is in distress.
- While you wait for help to arrive, keep the child calm.
- If the child has a care plan, follow that.
- Otherwise, ask the child to take four breaths from the inhaler.
- Wait four minutes, see if there is improvement, then deliver another four puffs.
- If you don’t have an inhaler, get one from an emergency kit or ask passersby if they have one.
This video will teach what to do when a child is having an asthma attack
Signs of Asthma Attack
When an asthma attack begins, your airway becomes swollen. This makes it tough to draw in a breath. It is important to understand what triggers your asthma attacks, the warning signs, and the symptoms that mean it’s time to head to the hospital.
1. Trigger Factors
Asthma is typically caused by an allergic reaction to something in the environment around you. What triggers asthma attacks varies from one person to another, but here are some of the most common triggers:
- Tobacco smoke, whether direct or second-hand
- Inhaling air that is cold and dry, such as during the wintertime
- Upper respiratory infections
- Strenuous exercise
- Pollen, pet dander, mold, dust mites and other similar irritants
- GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease
2. Warning Signs
There are often many warnings signs that occur before an asthma attack happens. By spotting these warning signs, you might be able to avoid an asthma attack, or prepare treatment that will make it easier to get through. Warning signs can include:
- Feel very weak while exercising
- Wheeze or cough after exercise
- Lose your breath easily
- Feel tired
- Have trouble sleeping
- Become very moody
- Blue lips or fingertips
- Become very pale
- Have trouble talking
- Breathe rapidly
- Feel an overwhelming sense of panic
- Neck and chest muscles might also become painfully tight.
How to Manage the Asthma Attack
When it comes to asthma, the ultimate goal is to avoid an attack in the first place. There are many natural solutions you can try that will help reduce the incidence or severity of asthma attacks. Here are just a few:
1. Daily Tips
Eat a very healthy diet, consisting of low fats, low dairy, plenty of organic foods and omega-3 fatty acids. Drink plenty of water. Look into remedies like deep tissue massage, avoid respiratory irritants and get treatment for any digestive problems, such as GERD.
2. Specific Tips for Exercise-induced Asthma
If your asthma is exacerbated by exercise, make sure to warm up very slowly, learn deep breathing techniques that can help keep your lungs clear, and look for activities that have rest periods, such as resting between tennis matches or softball innings. You can also look into exercises that allow you to go at your own pace yet still reap benefits, such as walking or swimming.