The symptoms of Asthma can be Coughing, shortness of breath, wheezy breathing, being abnormally quiet, tightness or discomfort in the chest (some children describe this as bellyache), throat irritation, flare, and high heart rate, and frequent respiratory infections are symptoms. The intensity of these symptoms might change at any time.
What You Do When Someone Is Having an Asthma Attack
STEP 1; Assist the individual in taking their normal dosage of reliever (typically blue in colour; other coloured inhalers likely to be steroid-based and unsuitable for emergency usage) inhaler as soon as possible, preferably with a spacer if one is available.
STEP 2; Sit the person right up, get them to take slow and steady breaths, keep calm and try to keep them calm. Do not leave them unattended.
Did the person start to improve immediately? If Yes
STEP 3; Continue to sit with the casualty till they are well enough to resume previous activity. Do not leave them unattended.
If no,
STEP 4; Continue to give 2 puffs of reliever inhaler every two minutes, up to 10 puffs.
STEP 5; If the casualty doesn’t start to feel better or you are still worried call the hospital immediately
STEP 6; While waiting for medical personnel to come, repeat step 3 until they arrive, then call parents or caregivers if the asthma casualty is a kid. And, if you are concerned in any way, contact the emergency unit you phoned, and keep them informed and up to date on the asthma casualty’s status until they come.
Asthmatic folks are all around us. However, very few of us would know what to do if someone nearby had severe asthma and was fighting to breathe. Continue reading to learn about asthma, what causes it, and how to aid someone who is suffering an asthma attack.
What Exactly Is Asthma?
Asthma is a chronic, sometimes fatal ailment that affects millions of people worldwide. It affects almost 10% of children and a significant proportion of adults. Every year, around 25,000 children are admitted to emergency departments in the UK for asthma, with many more when adult asthmatics are included. Many asthmatics discover that their asthma becomes more difficult to control at certain times of the year. Cold weather may be difficult for certain people. Spring, on the other hand, is a very tough season for many people.
When someone has Asthma, their airways spasm, causing tightness in the chest. The linings of the airways become inflamed and generate phlegm, making breathing extremely difficult.
WHAT ARE THE TRIGGERING FACTORS?
Asthma episodes can be triggered by a variety of factors. Many asthmatics are fully aware of their asthma triggers. They may not, however, always be able to escape them.
1. Pollen and Plant Pollutants
This has increasingly been blamed for asthma attacks. Many patients experience a worsening of their symptoms in the spring, which coincides with the advent of hay fever. The United Kingdom is home to a diverse range of grasses, plants, and weeds. Certain people are extremely sensitive to some and have no reaction at all to others. The timing of pollen discharge varies greatly across different countries. Hay fever symptoms might appear as early as January. Around 20% of persons with hay fever are sensitive to birch tree pollen, which, together with oak and plane tree pollen, causes numerous unpleasant symptoms and can aggravate asthma.
The most prevalent cause of hay fever is grass pollen, which often affects people in May, June, and July. Pollen from weed pollens is typically released from early spring to early fall. If you know pollen is a trigger for your asthma, consult with your doctor or an asthma nurse during this time and always have your emergency inhaler.
2. Dust and Unpurified Air
This is a common trigger in countries like Nigeria. For an asthmatic patient, avoid intense air pollution whether caused by antiperspirants, perfumes, tobacco smoke, wildfire smoke, gases from vehicles or other machines, insecticides or pesticides. Asthma patients are often advised to avoid mouldy environments and disinfectants too.
3. Allergies
Allergies to certain animals or pets (the furs or feathers), plants or even food can be a trigger for asthma especially when panic sets in.
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4. Alcohol
Please bear in mind that alcohol contains histamine, which the body produces in reaction to allergies. As a result, it has been suggested that alcohol may increase the body’s sensitivity to pollen and other allergens. If you are prone to allergic reactions or have asthma, you should avoid alcohol since it might interfere with your asthma control.
Other triggers have been identified, such as strenuous activity and strong emotions, which can cause hyperventilation and, if not controlled, an asthma attack.
NOTE: When dealing with respiratory disorders, it is often useful to encourage someone to sit upright. Sitting on the wrong side of a chair may be a comfortable position for them.
DO NOT take them outdoors for fresh air if it is too chilly or point a fan at them, since cold air worsens their symptoms.
What Should You Do After an Asthma Attack?
You should schedule a review with your doctor or an asthma nurse as soon as possible after the incident.
