By acting right and quickly, you can prevent an asthma attack from becoming a emergency. Learn about first aid for an asthma attack and the steps to deal with an asthma attack to follow.
What is an asthma attack?
Asthma is a health condition that affects the airways, that is, the tubes that deliver air to the lung.
From time to time, the patient with asthma feels it is difficult to inhale and exhale the air due to the narrowing of these airways, and this is known as an asthma attack, but in the absence of an attack, the patient's breathing remains normal.
There is no specific treatment for asthma, but you can take a few measures to reduce the severity of the attacks. For example, an asthma patient can take some medications that widen the respiratory tracts, and do regular checks of the lungs and respiratory tracts, the most important of which is learning ways to aid an asthma patient.
Signs and symptoms of an asthma attack
Symptoms of an asthma attack can be triggered by several means, for example with exercise, cigarette smoke, or a cold, and symptoms differ from one person to another.
General symptoms that may appear on the patient are:
Wheezing sound while breathing.
Feeling of an insufficient amount of air in the lungs (oxygen thirst).
Feeling of tightness in the chest.
cough.
It is worth noting that not all of the previous symptoms appear on an asthma patient during an attack.
What are the first aid steps for asthma?
It is important for all people to learn first aid for asthma, in order to save the patient's life.
Here's how to aid an asthma attack in four steps:
Position the patient in the correct position
Immediately put the patient in a seated position and leaned slightly forward (if this position helps him breathe better). When treating an asthma patient, encourage him to breathe deeply and slowly, and make sure to make him calm and reassuring.
Give the patient four asthma inhaler sprays
First, shake the spray well before use, then give the patient four batches of the device. Ensure that the patient breathes four full times before giving the next spray.
Wait 4 minutes while the patient gets better
If the patient's symptoms do not improve after a maximum of 4 minutes, give the patient 4 more sprays as in the previous step.
Call 911 if the patient does not get better while providing first aid for asthma
If there is no improvement in the patient’s condition after applying the above-mentioned asthma relief steps, call an ambulance immediately, and inform them of the patient’s situation in detail. Continue to calm the patient and give him 4 sprays of his asthma device every 4 minutes until the ambulance arrives.
If the patient lost consciousness
If the patient loses consciousness as a result of an asthma attack, call the ambulance immediately, put the patient in the recovery position, and make sure that the patient is still breathing. If the patient stops breathing, start CPR and make sure the ambulance is on its way to you.
When should you start applying first aid for asthma?
If you or someone around you feels the following signs, start dealing with an asthma attack and don't wait until the signs become more severe.
Signs of a mild to moderate asthma attack (start applying the first asthma relief):
Minor breathing difficulties.
The patient is able to say a complete sentence.
The patient is able to stand and walk.
The patient may cough or wheeze while breathing.
Signs of a severe asthma attack (start applying first aid and call 911):
Obvious difficulty breathing.
The patient is unable to pronounce a complete sentence within one breath.
The skin in the ribs or neck area is taut.
Cough or wheeze while breathing.
Asthma medications are not as effective as usual.
Signs of a life-threatening asthma attack (apply first aid for asthma and call 911):
Severe difficulty breathing (unable to inhale).
The patient is unable to pronounce one or two words during one breath.
The patient is confused or exhausted.
The patient's lips turned blue.
The patient's symptoms deteriorated very quickly.
No improvement (or slight improvement) when using an asthma inhaler.
The person may not cough or wheeze while breathing.
When should I call an ambulance while applying first aid for an asthma attack?
While applying steps for asthma relief, seek immediate medical help in one of the following cases:
If the patient suffers from the first asthma attack.
If the patient stops breathing due to the severity of the asthma attack.
If the patient has difficulty speaking or making noises.
If the patient becomes exhausted.
If none of the patient's medications help relieve the seizure.
In the event that asthma medication is not available with the patient.
If the symptoms of an asthma patient get worse.
How to avoid an asthma attack?
The best way to prevent asthma attacks is to avoid their triggers, and the most effective way is to eliminate them or avoid them in your home.
Respiratory irritants may vary depending on each person. Here's how to reduce your exposure to triggers of an asthma attack:
Keep your home clean to reduce dust and dirt as possible.
Keep your windows closed if the air quality around you is poor.
Quit smoking if you still smoke, or avoid secondhand smoke.
Avoid wood burning smoke in fireplaces or others.
If you have a pet, bathe it once a week and keep it away from your bedroom.
While applying first aid for asthma, it is important to keep the patient calm and provide him with the necessary help as soon as possible.
