Internal Dialogue Around Forgetting My Inhaler
Now that I am approaching middle-age, I have learned little techniques to keep calm and relaxed if I do go out without or have lost my inhaler. It doesn’t happen all that often but when it does, my internal dialogue kicks in: “keep calm, if you had your inhaler on you now you would not need to use it. You definitely have a spare inhaler at home and if the worst comes to the worst, you can ring 911.” Even as I read back these little psychological ploys that whirl around my mind whenever I forget my Ventolin, it makes me realize just how much fear is deeply embedded in my psyche, which still, to this day, gnaws away quietly in the back of my mind.
Emergency Tips To Survive An Asthma Attack Without Inhaler
If you forget your inhaler due to negligence or unforseen circumstances, follow these emergency guidelines.
Zee Media Bureau/Salome Phelamei
New Delhi: Living with asthma can be tough and terrifying. But the good thing is that there are ways that can help reduce your symptoms and risk of having an asthma attack.
An asthma occurs when the airways in the lungs become swollen or inflamed and are blocked by mucus, making breathing difficult. The chest tightens and the lungs seem to produce a wheezing sound.
If you have asthma, you probably would never go out without your inhaler. But, if you forget your inhaler due to negligence or unforeseen circumstances, follow these emergency guidelines:
How To Stop Wheezing If You Do Not Have An Inhaler
If you are prone to wheezing issues and depend on the use of the inhalers to relieve the symptoms, then it would be a nightmare to imagine having to pass through a wheezing episode without an inhaler with you.
However, with health conditions, one should be prepared for the worst, so that your mind can help you keep your cool such that you can take measures accordingly. If for any reason you do not possess an inhaler when wheezing strikes, you could use the below-mentioned techniques to attain quick relief.
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How To Stop An Asthma Attack Without An Inhaler
ByRudy Hunter;;|;;Submitted On October 28, 2011
You can learn some amazing tools to stop an asthma attack without an inhaler–as long as you have your inhaler filled and ready as your back-up. Your body can stop the attack with these suggestions. I’ll teach you how right now!
As a sufferer of adult-onset asthma I know what it’s like to be faced with the terrifying moment of not being able to breath. I nearly “checked out” six separate times. I’m going to teach you 5 powerful ways to stop an asthma attack without an inhaler–but be 100% certain you have an inhaler available and that it is full. Inhalers are not the enemy; they are life-saving tools that you should always use if or when these tools don’t bring immediate & satisfactory relief. Remember, your inhaler can save your life. Use it if you need it!
Tip #1: Sit down. Too simple? No. It’s crucial. It’s much easier to breathe sitting than any other position. Sit down and stay seated until your breath is fully back under your control. The dishes will wait. Your schedule will wait. Your “to-do list” will wait. Think about it. If you’re not around to do your dishes, your schedule or your “to-do list” then there’s no point. Sit and stay seated. Breathing is much easier.
Warmest wishes and here’s to your easy, gentle and un-encumbered breath!
What If You Have An Asthma Attack And No Inhaler
Asthma is a condition where the airways in the lungs become constricted and produce more mucus than usual, making it difficult to breathe.
The American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology list the most common signs of asthma as: ;
- Coughing
- Wheezing
A life-threatening condition
Depending on the severity of the attack, asthma can be life-threatening. Fortunately, for the last fifty years or so asthma pumps which deliver medication directly to the lungs have been available. Inhalers are the asthmatics mobile medical kit and are real lifesavers, especially when there are no medical facilities nearby, and most asthma sufferers realise the importance of always having their inhaler at hand.
According to Patient the contents of inhalers can be divided into relievers , preventers and long-acting bronchodilators. Steroids are anti-inflammatory drugs that effectively reduce the inflammation associated with asthma.
Inevitably, however, there will be situations where asthma suffers find themselves without an inhaler or one that, for whatever reason, doesnt work. ;;
How to handle the situation
If the situation seems dire and the person is struggling to breathe, take them to the nearest ER or call an ambulance. Health Central emphasises that ER doctors would rather that patients come in with relatively mild symptoms than arrive at a later stage gasping for breath. It is much easier to treat mild symptoms than handle a crisis situation. ;
Read more:
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Can Yoga Help With Asthma
It can, yes. In studies, the deep breathing in yoga was shown to reduce hyperventilation and improve symptoms and outcomes, especially during attacks. It may be possible to teach your child these breathing exercises and some basic yoga. Reach out to us here at Olivero Pediatrics if youd like to learn more about yoga for your childs asthma.
Part 2 Of 4: Evaluating The Childs Breathing
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Part 3 Of 3: Taking Medications
How To Survive An Asthma Attack If Youre Caught Without Your Inhaler
If you have asthma, you probably never go anywhere without your inhaler. But what if, due to negligence, you go out without it and have a sudden asthma attack?
“The importance of always carrying rescue medication cannot be understated”, says associate professor Loo Chian Min, head and senior consultant, Department of Respiratory & Critical Care Medicine, Singapore General Hospital . “It is absolutely vital that you don’t forget your inhaler wherever you go.”
What happens during an asthma attackAsthma occurs when the airways in the lungs become inflamed and are blocked by mucus, making breathing difficult. The chest tightens and the lungs seem to produce a wheezing sound.
There could be many triggers for an asthma attack.Air pollution, exposure to irritants such as dust, cigarette smoke and pet dander, physical exertion and emotional outbursts can all trigger an asthma attack.
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Six things to do if caught without an inhaler during an asthma attack“Never, ever let up on your asthma medications even if you feel your condition has improved,” says Loo. Asthma needs constant care and proper management at all times. Your very life depends on it.
However, should you be caught without your inhaler due to unforeseen circumstances, you could try these coping techniques:
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Sit upright
Stop whatever you are doing and sit upright. Bending over or lying down can constrict your breathing even more.
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Take long, deep breaths
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Emergency Asthma Treatment At Home In Case Of An Attack
- Do not lie down
- Sit up straight and try to calm down
- Take a puff from a reliever every 30 to 60 seconds
- Breathe in through the nose and out through pursed lips
- Breathe in through nose with hands placed on the belly and exhale
- Try sipping warm back tea or coffee
- Try to inhale the vapour of eucalyptus essential oil from a diffuser
Try the natural home remedies for asthma and witness your symptoms get diminished. Try to maintain an asthma diary. Write down about your symptoms when you experience them, foods that seem to trigger the symptoms, where you were and what you were doing before your asthma flared up, how often you have to use your inhaler, if at all, and other such details. It will help you and your doctor to get a better insight and control your asthmatic symptoms more effectively.
Disclaimer: The information included at this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional. Because of unique individual needs, the reader should consult their physician to determine the appropriateness of the information for the readers situation.;
Responsibilities Of Childcare Centres And Kindergartens In Caring For Children With Asthma
Services that care for or educate children are required to;have;first aid;training for staff,;anaphylaxis;management and;emergency asthma management;plans and strategies to minimise the risk for your child.;The service must,;at all times, have at least one educator in attendance with current and approved:;
- first aid qualification;
- anaphylaxis management training;
- emergency asthma management training.;
For more information;about first aid, anaphylaxis and asthma management in childcare see the;Department of Education and Training website.;;
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Signs Of Asthma Absolutely Everyone Should Know
You might think you know the signs of asthma because hey, it seems like one of those health conditions that is absolutely unmistakable. Its kind of obvious if you justcant really breathe, right? Sure, but asthma symptoms can present with a lot more complexity and subtlety than that. Many people do not realize they have asthma and deal with daily symptoms, Purvi Parikh, M.D., an allergist and immunologist with Allergy & Asthma Network, tells SELF. Because of that, you should be aware of the signs of asthma so you dont write them off for months or even years without realizing you have this persistentand ultimately treatablehealth condition.
Move Away From Triggers
The presence of asthma triggers wont only cause an attack, they can also make your symptoms worse. Be sure to try to get away from things that may be triggering your asthma attack.
For example, if youre in an area where people are smoking cigarettes, you should move away promptly.
Its also important to know your triggers. Common triggers include:
- , such as pet dander, pollen, or certain foods
You should always be sure to seek immediate emergency medical treatment if you experience any of the following symptoms during an asthma attack:
- your symptoms continue to get worse even after treatment
- you cant speak except in short words or phrases
- youre straining your chest muscles in an effort to breathe
- your shortness of breath or wheezing is severe, particularly in the early morning or late-night hours
- you begin to feel drowsy or tired
- your lips or face appear blue when youre not coughing
Symptoms that indicate that you could be experiencing an asthma attack include:
- severe shortness of breath
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Use A Peak Flow Meter
A peak flow meter is an inexpensive handheld gadget. You use it to measure how fast air comes out when you exhale hard after a full breath in. This number is called a peak expiratory flow .
Your doctor may want you to use a peak flow meter to help you recognize signs of trouble. Many asthma symptoms result from not being able to move air out of your lungs. If your PEF goes down, thats a sign that your asthma is getting worse and that you need to do something.
Follow Your Childs Action Plan
An asthma action plan tells you which medicines your child takes every day and how to treat asthma attacks. It may include an asthma diary where your child records peak expiratory flow and/or symptoms. You also can list the cause of the symptoms and the quick-relief medicine used for asthma symptoms. This helps you to identify triggers that can be changed or avoided and to be aware of your childs symptoms. A plan also helps you make quick decisions about medicine and treatment.
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How To Be Prepared
Having an asthma attack can be scary, but there are ways that you and your child can prepare.
The first step you should take after your child has been diagnosed with asthma is to create an action plan. This plan should include information about:
- which medications your child takes
- how often your child takes their medication
- how to notice when your childs asthma symptoms are getting worse
- when its time to head to the hospital
Rescue medications can be used at the start of an asthma attack to open the airways. The dosage that your child needs during an asthma attack may be different, so its important to ask your doctor how much medication is needed.
If theres no rescue medication available or the medication doesnt help, you should seek immediate medical attention. You can also use these steps with your child:
- Sit your child up straight to keep the airways open as much as possible.
- Use breathing exercises to help them steady their breathing.
- Speak quietly, offer a comforting hand, and try to keep them as calm as possible.
Statistics from the CDC have suggested that roughly half of all children with asthma will have an asthma attack at some point.
Having an action plan ready can help reduce the severity of an attack, but the most important step is to keep your childs asthma properly managed.
If youre worried that your childs asthma is not well managed, you may benefit from using the Childhood Asthma Control Test, which is designed for children ages 4 to 11.
What Medications Can Help With Asthma
Asthma attacks, airway inflammation, and other issues can be controlled or prevented in many cases. Certain medications can be taken every day, like inhaled corticosteroids and leukotriene modifiers. These can help a child live more easily with their asthma and live a more active life. Of course, rescue inhalers will help too, and can be vital for a child.
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The Constant Worry Of Forgetting My Inhaler
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Ever since I was a child, I can remember being totally panic-stricken if I left my inhaler indoors, or if I thought I had dropped it somewhere. It’s a fear that I’m sure most asthma sufferers have experienced. The fear itself can actually trigger tightness in the chest which really isn’t pleasant. The notion that you have come out without your inhaler is a real and scary prospect.
Tests For Other Diseases
Asthma sometimes is hard to diagnose because symptoms vary widely from child to child and within each child over time. Symptoms may be the same as those of other conditions, such as influenza or other viral respiratory infections. Tests that may be done to determine whether diseases other than asthma are causing your childs symptoms include:
- A chest X-ray. A chest X-ray may be used to see whether something else, such as a foreign object, is causing symptoms.
- A sweat test, which measures the amount of salt in sweat. This test may be used to see whether cystic fibrosis is causing symptoms.
Other tests may be done to see whether your child has health problems such as sinusitis, nasal polyps, or gastroesophageal reflux disease.
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