Asthma is caused by inflammation and blockage of the bronchial tubes, the tubes that help the lungs inhale and exhale. In 2009, the American Academy of Asthma, Allergy and Immunology stated that one in 12 people in the United States was diagnosed with asthma, compared with 1 in 12 in 2001. During an asthma attack, the muscles around the bronchial tubes tighten and swell, making The airway narrows and makes it difficult for the person to breathe. Common triggers for asthma attacks include exposure to allergens (such as grass, hair, pollen, etc.), airborne irritants (such as smoke or strong odors), illness (such as the flu), stress, extreme weather conditions (such as heat). extreme), or physical activity and sports. Knowledge of the signs of an asthma attack and what to do when an attack occurs can help save a person's life.
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Method 1 of 4: Evaluating the Situation
Step 1. Recognize the early symptoms of an asthma attack
People with chronic asthma may experience occasional wheezing and need asthma medications to control these symptoms. Attacks differ from normal shortness of breath in that they cause more severe symptoms that last longer and require immediate attention. The early signs of an asthma attack are:
- Itchy neck
- Feeling irritable and irritable
- Feeling nervous or restless
- Tired
- Dark circles under the eyes
Step 2. Identify the onset of an asthma attack
An asthma attack can worsen into a life-threatening situation that requires immediate medical attention. Learn how to identify an asthma attack so you can start treatment as soon as possible. While the signs and symptoms of an asthma attack vary from person to person, the most common symptoms are:
- Wheezing to the point of making a whistling sound when breathing. Usually a whistling sound is heard when the patient exhales, but can also be heard when he inhales.
- Cough. Some people with asthma may cough in an effort to clear the airways and get more oxygen into the lungs. The cough will be worse at night.
- Hard to breathe. People who have asthma attacks usually complain of shortness of breath. He may be breathing in shallow breaths that appear to be faster than normal.
- Chest tightness. Attacks are usually accompanied by a feeling of tightness in the chest or pain on the left or right side of the chest.
- Low peak expiratory flow rate (PEF). If the patient is using a peak flow meter, which is a small device that measures the maximum expiratory rate to monitor his or her ability to exhale, and it ranges from 50% to 79% of your best score, this is an indication of an asthma attack.
Step 3. Know the symptoms of asthma in children
Children usually experience the same symptoms as adults with asthma, such as wheezing or whistling when breathing, shortness of breath, and tightness or chest pain.
- Children usually breathe fast during an asthma attack.
- Children may exhibit some kind of 'pull', in which their neck is pulled in, they breathe in their belly, or they pull their ribs when they breathe.
- In some children, the only symptom of an asthma attack is a chronic cough.
- In other cases, asthma symptoms in children are limited to a cough that gets worse with a viral infection or when he sleeps.
Step 4. Evaluate the specific situation
Assess what happened to determine if emergency medical attention is needed and what treatment should be given when it occurs. People who experience mild symptoms may be able to use self-medicating medications that should resolve symptoms quickly. People who have more severe difficulties should be examined by emergency medical personnel. In the case of a severe asthma attack, call or have someone call medical services before you begin to treat the attack. Know how to distinguish the situation you are in at the time.
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People with asthma who need their medication, but may not need immediate medical attention will:
- wheezing to the point of whistling, but it doesn't look like it's a problem
- cough to clear the airways and get more air
- a bit short of breath, but able to talk and walk
- doesn't seem agitated or troubled
- can tell that he has asthma and tell where the medicine is
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People experiencing significant distress and requiring immediate medical attention:
- may appear pale and even the lips or fingers are bluish
- experiencing the same symptoms as above, but more intense and severe
- tighten chest muscles to breathe
- experiencing severe shortness of breath so that you are short and gasping for breath
- make a loud whistling sound when inhaling or exhaling
- getting more and more restless about the situation
- may become confused or unresponsive as usual
- have difficulty walking or speaking due to shortness of breath
- showing prolonged symptoms
Method 2 of 4: Coping With Your Own Asthma Attack
Step 1. Prepare an action plan
After being diagnosed with asthma, make an asthma action plan with your doctor. This plan is basically a step-by-step process to follow when you are facing an acute attack. This plan should be written down and include an ER telephone number, as well as the number of family and friends who can meet you at the hospital if needed.
- After getting a diagnosis, consult with your doctor to identify specific symptoms of worsening asthma and what you should do when they occur (eg take medication, go to the ER, etc.).
- Make sure you know how to use a rescue inhaler
- Write this plan down and carry it with you all the time.
Step 2. Avoid triggers for asthma attacks
In general, keep in mind that symptom prevention is the best way to treat and manage asthma. If you know what situations trigger asthma attacks (such as being around furry animals or very hot or cold weather, try to avoid them as much as possible.
Step 3. Take the inhaler your doctor prescribes
There are two types of rescue medication that may be prescribed by a doctor, namely a Metered Dose Inhaler (MDI) or a Dry Powder Inhaler (DPI).
- MDI is the most common inhaler. These inhalers deliver asthma medications through small aerosol cans equipped with a chemical booster that moves the medication into the lungs. The MDI can be used alone or with a clear plastic tube called a chamber or spacer that separates the mouth from the inhaler, and which allows you to breathe normally to receive the medicine and helps the medicine to enter the lungs more efficiently.
- DPI is an inhaler for administering dry powder asthma medications without a pusher. DPI brands include Flovent, Serevent, or Advair. The DPI requires you to breathe quickly and deeply, making it difficult to use during an asthma attack. This makes it a less popular choice than standard MDI.
- No matter what type of inhaler your doctor prescribes, make sure you always carry it with you.
Step 4. Use MDI
Note that when having an asthma attack, you should only use an MDI filled with a bronchodilator rescue medication (such as albuterol), and not a corticosteroid or a long-acting beta-2 agonist bronchodilator. Shake the inhaler for five seconds to mix the medicine in the can.
- Before using the inhaler, blow out as much air as possible in the lungs.
- Lift your chin and close your lips tightly in the chamber or tip of the inhaler.
- If using a chamber, breathe normally and slowly inhale the medication. If using only the inhaler, begin to inhale and press the inhaler once.
- Keep inhaling until you can no longer get air.
- Hold your breath for 10 seconds and repeat at least one more time, but usually more than that, and allow a one minute break between uses. Always follow the instructions on the asthma plan you have written.
Step 5. Use DPI
DPI varies by manufacturer, so you should read the instructions carefully before using it.
- Exhale and exhale as much air as possible.
- Close your lips around the DPI and inhale strongly until your lungs are full.
- Hold your breath for 10 seconds.
- Remove the DPI from the mouth and exhale slowly.
- If more than one dose is prescribed, repeat again after one minute has elapsed.
Step 6. Recognize an asthma emergency
If your asthma symptoms worsen despite using an inhaler, you need emergency medical help. If you can call emergency services, do so. However, if breathing is difficult and you can't speak clearly, you may need someone to call the ER, such as a close friend or family member or a passer-by.
A good action plan should include an ER number. In addition, your doctor will help you identify when your symptoms become more severe and when you enter an emergency situation so that you will know when to call for help. Call the local emergency number if within a few minutes your attack cannot be relieved by an inhaler
Step 7. Rest while waiting for medical personnel
Sit down and rest while the medics are on their way. Some people with asthma find that sitting in a tripod position, i.e. leaning forward with both hands on knees, can be helpful because it relieves pressure on the diaphragm.
- Try to stay calm. Feelings of restlessness can make your symptoms worse.
- Ask someone nearby to sit with you to help you stay calm until emergency help arrives.
Method 3 of 4: Helping Others
Step 1. Help the patient find a comfortable position
Most people with asthma are more comfortable sitting than standing or lying down. Elevate the body to help expand the lungs and make breathing easier. Let him lean slightly toward you or a chair for support. Some people with asthma can sit in a tripod position, leaning forward with their hands on their knees to relieve pressure on the diaphragm.
- Asthma can be made worse by anxiety, but it is not triggered by anxiety. This means that during an attack, the sufferer will respond more quickly when he is calm. Anxiety releases cortisol in the body which constricts the bronchioles, the tubes that carry air through the nose and/or mouth to the air sacs in the lungs.
- You must remain calm and reassuring because it is important to help the sufferer maintain his composure.
Step 2. Calmly ask, “Do you have asthma?
Even if he is unable to verbally respond because of shortness of breath or coughing, he may nod or point to where the inhaler or instruction card is.
Ask if he has an asthma emergency action plan. Today, many people preparing for an asthma attack have a written contingency plan with them. If he has one, take it and help him follow the plan
Step 3. Remove all triggers in the incident area
Asthma usually gets worse due to certain triggers or allergens. Ask if there is anything in the area that might trigger an attack and if he responds, try to remove the trigger or take the sufferer away from triggers that are in the environment (such as pollen or weather-related).
- Animal
- Smoke
- Pollen
- High humidity or cold weather
Step 4. Say that you are looking for his inhaler
Do this so that he calms down and believes that you are helping him, not that you mean anything bad.
- Women usually keep their inhalers in their handbag and men in their pockets.
- Some people with asthma, especially young children or the elderly, also carry a spacer tube attached to their inhaler. The spacer inserts the medication into the mouth with moderate force so that the patient breathes more easily.
- Children and adults who have frequent asthma attacks may also carry a nebulizer, which is a device that takes asthma medication by mouth or a mask. This device is easy to use because the patient is breathing normally making it ideal for young children and the elderly, but it is larger than the MDI and must be connected to the mains.
- If the patient does not carry an inhaler, call the emergency room, especially for patients who are young or elderly. People who have an asthma attack without an inhaler are at risk of serious shortness of breath that can lead to death.
Step 5. Prepare the patient to receive medication from the inhaler
If the head is down, lift the upper body for a while.
- If the patient's MDI is equipped with a spacer, attach it to the inhaler after shaking it. Remove the cover from the MDI mouthpiece.
- Help the sufferer lift his head if necessary.
- Have him exhale as much air as possible before using the inhaler.
- Let him take his own medicine. The dose of the inhaler must be set correctly, so let the patient control this process. Help him hold the inhaler or spacer to his lips if necessary.
- Most people with asthma will stop for a minute or two between uses.
Step 6. Call the ER
Monitor the patient until paramedics arrive.
- Although the patient appears to be improving after using the inhaler, it is better if the paramedic or doctor continues to assess his condition. If he does not want to go to the hospital, he can decide after knowing his health status from a medical expert.
- Continue to help him use the inhaler if needed. Even if the severity of an asthma attack does not decrease, medication will help prevent it from getting worse by relaxing the airways.
Method 4 of 4: Coping With Asthma Attacks Without Inhalers
Step 1. Call the ER
If you or anyone else does not have an inhaler, you should call the ER immediately. In addition, there are several steps you can take while waiting for medical personnel. However, you should always seek advice from a medical professional while still on the phone.
Step 2. Turn on the hot water faucet in the bathroom
If you're at home, turning on the hot water faucet or bathtub can turn the bathroom into a recovery zone because of the steam it produces.
Step 3. Practice breathing exercises
Many people feel anxious and panicked when they have an asthma attack and that can lead to faster breathing. However, panicking will usually make an asthma attack worse because it reduces the amount of oxygen the lungs get. Try to breathe slowly and be aware of each inhalation and exhalation. Breathe in through your nose to a count of four and exhale to a count of six.
Try pursing your lips as you exhale. This can help slow the gusts and keep the airways open for a longer time
Step 4. Look for drinks with caffeine
The chemical structure in caffeine is similar to that of common asthma medications, and a little coffee or soda can help relax the airways and reduce breathing problems.
A drug that is said to be similar to caffeine is theophylline, which can help prevent and treat whistling, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. Coffee or tea may not contain enough theophylline to fight asthma attacks, but it is an alternative
Step 5. Take advantage of common remedies at home
Certain medications can help relieve the effects of an asthma attack in emergency cases although they should not be taken as a substitute for emergency assistance.
- Use a quick-acting antihistamine (allergy medication) if you or the sufferer think the asthmatic reaction is being triggered by an allergen. This usually happens if during the day you are outdoors with a high pollen index. Some types of antihistamines are Allegra, Benadryl, Dimetane, Claritin, Alavert, Tavist, Chlor-Trimeton, and Zyrtec. Natural antihistamines are echinacea, ginger, chamomile, and saffron. If you can find a tea that contains a natural antihistamine, drink it to help reduce the symptoms of an asthma attack, although in general the effects are minimal. Be careful when using natural herbs or supplements because some people are allergic to the ingredients.
- Use pseudoephedrine such as Sudafed. Sudafed is a nasal decongestant, but it can help with asthma attacks in the absence of an inhaler because it can open the bronchioles. It is best if the pill is crushed and dissolved in warm water or tea before drinking to limit the risk of choking. Please note that it takes 15 to 30 minutes for this method to be effective. Please also note that pseudoephedrine can increase heart rate and blood pressure.
Tips
- Asthma symptoms such as coughing, whistling, shortness of breath, or chest tightness can be treated with an inhaler. In some cases, these symptoms go away on their own.
- If you have tried to cope with a mild asthma attack but it does not improve, see a doctor so that your condition does not get worse. Doctors can prescribe oral steroids to help stop attacks.
- If you follow the action plan as soon as you start experiencing symptoms, you are more likely to avoid a severe attack.
- Make sure your inhaler and other medications for asthma have not expired or run out. Call your doctor if you need a new medication before supplies run out.
Warning
- Asthma is a condition that can be life-threatening. If you or someone with asthma does not receive an antidote from your inhaler within a few minutes, you or someone nearby should call the emergency room and wait for help.
- There are no approved over-the-counter medications for asthma. Everyone diagnosed with asthma should have an emergency plan and carry an inhaler with them at all times.
- If you are in doubt about what to do, call the ER immediately.
