Do you know what to do when someone has an asthma attack?
An asthma attack can be scary to watch. Your best friend may have come over
to your house and you are enjoying a conversation with her. All of a sudden, she
bends over and starts gasping for breath. Then she falls to the ground and looks
completely panic-stricken while struggling for breath.
That is one of the many possible faces of asthma attacks. How should you tackle this situation?
An asthma attack can possibly be life-threatening. Knowing how to handle it is critical.
Dealing with an asthma attack
Here is a broad outline of what you can do if you suspect someone is having an asthma attack or if that person tells you she is having one.
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First things first - stay calm. Watching someone having an asthma attack is frightening for you. But it is even more frightening for the person who is having the attack. If you act agitated, you will induce more fear and panic in the victim. This will act to worsen their condition.
When you remain calm, you reassure them that you have a certain amount of control over the situation and that you will be in a position to help them. That gives them confidence and they will find it easier to let you know what must be done. Which brings up the next point. -
Ask them what must be done. Most people who have an asthma attack are not in that situation for the first time. They know that they have an asthma problem and their doctor has very likely prescribed a plan to tackle asthma attacks. So they know precisely what must be done.
Ask them if they have an inhaler and where they have kept it. If they don't have an inhaler, ask if anyone else around has an inhaler. Also ask the victim if they want you to call for help.
If that person is having a severe asthma attack, she may not be in a position to talk. That is why many asthma patients carry a written instruction card with them at all times. In fact, they may have kept an instruction card with their inhaler. If you find such a card, just follow the instructions. -
Get the patient into a sitting position. She will find better relief from asthma symptoms while in a sitting position than while lying down. Also, she needs to take medication, which is easier to do in a sitting position.
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Assist the person in using the inhaler. Delivering medication by way of an inhaler is the single most important thing to do to tackle an asthma attack.
An inhaler is a small, portable device that is used to deliver a preset quantity of medication. This medication helps to relax the patient's airways and makes breathing easier. In case the patient does not have an inhaler with her, it is usually acceptable to use someone else's inhaler, because medication is critical.
Here is how to use an inhaler. Basically, you need to deliver two to four puffs of medication using the inhaler and then wait for five minutes before delivering another round.
The mouthpiece of the inhaler should be positioned between the person's lips. The medication is delivered when you depress the plunger on the inhaler. Before you do so, let the person know that you are about to do so; that way, she can get ready to inhale the medication.
After you deliver a puff, wait for several seconds before giving another. The patient should be ready to inhale another puff when you deliver it.
During an acute asthma attack, the patient may find it difficult to inhale the entire medication at once. In such cases, use a spacer, which is a tube that sits between the inhaler and the mouth. The medication is puffed into the spacer and the patient can then inhale it over the course of several breaths instead of in one single breath. If a spacer is not available, just roll up a piece of paper to create a hollow tube to act as a spacer. -
Next, observe the patient. Once you give the prescribed dose of medication, it should take effect in about five to ten minutes. See if the patient is finding it easier to breathe within that timeframe. Continue to remain calm and talk to them normally.
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If the asthma attack does not subside within ten minutes at most, call for help. While waiting for help to arrive, continue to give about four puffs of medication every five minutes. Medication will help keep symptoms from deteriorating. This is true even in cases it does not seem to be helping the patient.
Those are basic steps in helping someone cope with an asthma attack. Keep them in mind and you may be able to help someone having an acute attack.