Diagnosing Asthma In Older People
Older people are more likely to have other lung diseases that also cause shortness of breath , so doctors have to determine how much of the person’s breathing difficulty is related to asthma and reversible with the appropriate anti-asthma therapy. Often, in these people diagnosis involves a brief trial of drugs that are used to treat asthma to see whether the person’s condition improves.
How To Handle An Asthma Attack With No Inhaler
Individuals who are chronic asthmatics often carry an inhaler along with them, in order to manage emergency situations which may be associated with sudden attacks. However an individual may occasionally forget to carry the required inhaler and may suffer from an asthma attack. What should the person do in a situation like this here are a few steps that can be beneficial in handling an asthma attack without an inhaler,
Learn First Aid For Someone Who Is Having An Asthma Attack
1. Help the person sit in a comfortable position and take their inhaler.
When someone has an asthma attack, their airways narrow, making it difficult for them to breathe. An inhaler relaxes the muscles, allowing the airways to expand and ease their breathing.
2. Reassure the person. If the attack becomes severe, or they don’t have their inhaler, call 999 as soon as possible.
A mild attack should ease within a few minutes. If it doesnt, they can continue to take their inhaler. You should call 999 if they they dont have their inhaler, their inhaler has no effect, they are becoming worse or they become unable to talk. Do not leave them, in case the attack becomes severe quickly. If you cant call 999, get someone else to do it.
Recommended Reading: How Long Does It Take To Die From Asthma Attack
What Medical Supplies Are Needed To Help Treat An Asthma Attack
In order to treat someone who is having an asthma attack, you need to have certain medical supplies. To treat mild to moderate asthma attacks, it is helpful to have the following:
- A rescue inhaler: A fast-acting rescue inhaler works quickly to open up the airways and improve shortness of breath.
- Nebulizer: A nebulizer creates an aerosol mist, which is inhaled into the lungs. The same medication given in a rescue inhaler can be administered through a nebulizer.
In other cases, advanced medical supplies are needed to provide emergency care. If an asthma attack is severe, supplies needed may help administer intravenous steroids or help support breathing. Additional emergency supplies needed by EMS may include:
- Oxygen
- Pulse oximetry to monitor oxygen levels
- Resuscitation bag and mask
For Severe Asthma Attacks
In most cases for mild and moderate asthma attacks, you will be able to provide first aid to the patient without the assistance of a medical professional. However, its important that you remember if your patient is suffering a severe asthma attack they need urgent medical care and Triple Zero must be called. A severe asthma attack usually presents with the following symptoms:
- Worsening of regular symptoms over short time
- Severe shortness of breath
- No improvement after use of inhaler or reliever
- Blue tinge in lips
Recommended Reading: How To Get Rid Of Severe Asthma
When Should I Go To The Emergency Room
If your skin, mouth or nails are turning blue, then you arent getting enough air into your lungs. This is a medical emergency and you should have a family member or friend take you to the nearest urgent care or emergency room. If youre alone, call 911 and describe your breathing.
If you suddenly start wheezing after a bee sting, after you take a new medication or eat a new food, that could indicate an allergic reaction and you should go to the emergency room immediately.
Whatever the cause of your wheezing, there are things you can do to get relief. Follow your healthcare providers directions, dont smoke, take all medications as prescribed and run a vaporizer or humidifier to moisten the air. Doing all of these things will help you breathe easier.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 09/24/2020.
References
Dont Miss: What Does An Asthma Attack Feel Like
Treating An Asthma Attack Without An Inhaler
Often there is alternative treatment that is available for management of an asthma attack without the use of inhalers. Here are some simple tips that might be beneficial,
- Identify and keep a track of the factors that are responsible for an asthma attack. Avoid these factors at all time.
- Prepare a makeshift spacer using a paper cup or a plastic bottle. Make a small hole at the lower end of the bottle and push an aerosol mouthpiece into it. Place the cup over your mouth and puff using the inhaler.
- Homeopathic drugs like Causticum and Natrum Sulph are considered beneficial in the management of acute episodes of asthma. Try to keep these drugs handy.
Read Also: Does High Humidity Trigger Asthma
Side Effects Of Relievers And Preventers
Relievers are a safe and effective medicine, and have few side effects as long as they are not used too much. The main side effects include a mild shaking of the hands , headaches and muscle cramps. These usually only happen with high doses of reliever inhaler and usually only last for a few minutes.
Preventers are very safe at usual doses, although they can cause a range of side effects at high doses, especially with long-term use.
The main side effect of preventer inhalers is a fungal infection of the mouth or throat . You may also develop a hoarse voice and sore throat.
Using a spacer can help prevent these side effects, as can rinsing your mouth or cleaning your teeth after using your preventer inhaler.
Your doctor or nurse will discuss with you the need to balance control of your asthma with the risk of side effects, and how to keep side effects to a minimum.
How Can You Help Treat Someone Having An Asthma Attack
The key to preventing a severe asthma attack is to spot symptoms early and treat the flare-up as soon as possible. Your ability to treat someone depends on what supplies you have.
In some cases, it may be possible to help treat someone having an asthma attack. Keep in mind that you should not share medication or give someone something that is not prescribed for them. But if someone has their fast-acting medication, such as albuterol or their rescue inhaler, you can help them take it.
When someone is having an asthma attack, they may become anxious. They may require help setting up their nebulizer, including placing the medication.
If the person has their inhaler, you can help prime it and get it ready for use. This includes shaking the inhaler and attaching an aero chamber if the fast-acting inhaler is a metered-dose inhaler. If you are helping a child or someone who cannot use an aero chamber correctly, consider using the mask that attaches to the chamber. The mask is placed over the persons mouth and nose before pressing the inhaler.
Recommended Reading: Can Antibiotics Make Asthma Worse
How To Cure Asthma Without An Inhaler
We are wondering just how to heal asthma permanently without an inhaler? We Have attracted you to some home treatments for asthma that cure Asthma without an Inhaler. Asthma is a chronic illness that consists of the airways of the lungs. These bronchial tubes or airways allow air to enter and out of their lungs.
When you have asthma, your airways are almost always inflamed, they become more bloated, and the muscles around nerves may elongate when something causes the symptoms. This makes it challenging for air to enter and out of their lungs.
Infection is a type of respiratory disorder that occurs because of the bronchis response within somebodys lungs. The bronchial airways and sacs begin filling with mucous and secretion, making breathing difficult for the victim.
Asthma attacks may vary from moderate to severe. The strikes Are usually triggered by several environmental factors such as cigarette smoke and animal dander. A present respiratory disease like chilly may also actuate them.
One of the most frequent methods of therapy for asthma attacks would be an inhaler. Are you thinking about how to take care of asthma with no inhaler? There are specific things which can assist you in curing asthma strike without an inhaler.
First Time Asthma Attack
If a student appears to be having difficulty breathing but has not been diagnosed with asthma, the school staff should follow the schools first aid procedures. This should include immediately:
- locating and administering the reliever medication from the asthma emergency kit
- after the first 4 doses of reliever medication call for an ambulance
- continue giving 4 doses of reliever medication every 4 minutes whilst waiting for the ambulance to arrive.
Step 1 Sit the person upright
- Be calm and reassuring.
- Do not leave them alone.
- Seek assistance from another teacher to locate the student’s Asthma Action Plan and an asthma emergency kit if required. If the students Asthma Action Plan is not immediately available, use asthma first aid as described below.
Step 2 Give 4 separate puffs of blue or blue-grey reliever puffer
- Shake the blue or blue-grey reliever puffer.
- Use a spacer if you have one.
- Put one puff into the spacer.
- Student draws in medication from the spacer.
Step 3 Wait 4 minutes
- If there is no improvement, give 4 more separate puffs of blue or blue-grey reliever as per step 2 and wait 4 minutes .
Step 4 If there is still no improvement call and ask for an ambulance
- Tell the operator the student is having an asthma attack.
- Keep giving 4 separate puffs, every 4 minutes until emergency assistance arrives .
Step 5 If asthma is relieved after administering asthma first aid stop the treatment and observe the student
Don’t Miss: What Tea Is Good For Asthma
What Should I Do If I Think I’m Having An Asthma Attack
Stay calm and use your inhaler with the spacer. If you can, check your peak flow to see how bad the attack is. If you have a nebulizer, use this instead of an inhaler. If your breathing gets easier after using your medicine, you may still want to call your doctor to discuss follow-up or other treatments. Make sure your family knows what to do if you have an asthma attack.
Watch How To Help Someone Who Is Having An Asthma Attack
What is asthma?
Asthma is a medical condition that affects the airways the tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs. When someone has an asthma attack, these tubes become narrowed, making it difficult to breathe in and out.
How can I tell if someone is having an asthma attack?
People with asthma should be able to let you know if they are having an attack.
Someone having an asthma attack will have difficulty breathing and speaking, and may cough and wheeze. They may be very anxious and distressed as they struggle to breathe.In some cases, their lips, earlobes and nail beds may turn greyish-blue because there isnt enough oxygen in their body.
What sort of medication will someone with asthma use?
Someone who has asthma will normally have an inhaler that their doctor has prescribed. They may also have a spacer, which makes the inhaler more effective.
If someone is having an asthma attack they should know how to use their inhaler and spacer but they may need your help in finding them.
What does an inhaler look like?
Inhalers can come in many different sizes and shapes. Inhalers to relieve asthma attacks are usually blue. Inhalers that prevent asthma attacks may be brown or white.
How do you use an inhaler?
If a person has asthma they should know how to use their inhaler, they may need your help getting it for them. They should take it as normal. If that doesnt help they can take one or two puffs every 30 or 60 seconds until theyve had 10 puffs.
You May Like: Does Pepper Spray Affect Asthma
Care Advice For Asthma Attack
What Is Good Asthma Care
Your doctor or nurse will tailor your asthma treatment to your symptoms. Sometimes you may need to be on higher levels of medication than at others.
You should be offered:
- care at your GP surgery provided by doctors and nurses trained in asthma management
- full information about your condition and how to control it
- involvement in making decisions about your treatment
- regular checks to ensure your asthma is under control and your treatment is right for you
- a written personal asthma action plan agreed with your doctor or nurse
It is also important that your GP or pharmacist teaches you how to properly use your inhaler, as this is an important part of good asthma care.
Recommended Reading: Is Asthma An Autoimmune Disease
Asthma Symptoms Bothering You It Might Be Your Inhaler Technique Here Are Some Common Inhaler Mistakes And How To Avoid Them
If your asthma symptoms are flaring up, poor inhaler technique could be at the root of the problem. Its easy to slip into mistakes, especially if youve had inhalers for a long time, but you can break those bad habits. Here are some common inhaler mistakes and simple tips for avoiding them.
Not breathing in the right way for your type of inhaler
There are two main types of inhaler dry powder inhalers and pressurised Metered Dose Inhalers . Wondering what type of inhaler you have? Find out here
- If you have a pMDI, you need to breathe in slow and steady. At the same time, press the canister on the inhaler once. Continue to breathe in slowly over 3 to 4 seconds, until your lungs feel full.
- If you have a dry powder inhaler you need to breathe in quickly and deeply until your lungs feel full, to be sure you inhale all the medicine
Forgetting to shake your inhaler first
Some inhalers need shaking before you take them, and some dont. Weve made videos about every kind of inhaler find yours to find out whether yours needs shaking, or not.
Not waiting between puffs
With some inhalers, you need to wait least 30 to 60 seconds before taking the next puff. This gives the medicine and propellant enough time to mix together.
Not breathing out before using your inhaler
Not having a tight lip seal
When you breathe in, making sure your lips are tightly clamped round your inhaler will make sure the whole dose of medicine goes where its needed most.
Not using a spacer
Know The Signs Of An Asthma Attack
Youre having an asthma attack if:
- your blue reliever isn’t helping, or you need to use it more than every four hours
- you’re wheezing a lot, have a very tight chest, or you’re coughing a lot
- you’re breathless and find it difficult to walk or talk
- your breathing is getting faster and it feels like you can’t get your breath in properly
You may have all of these signs and symptoms. Or you may have just some of them. For example, you may not wheeze.
Know your early warning signs
An asthma attack happens when your symptoms get much worse. This can happen quite suddenly or can build up gradually over a few days.
You can stop an asthma attack before it happens, or make it less serious so you dont end up in hospital, by recognising when your symptoms are getting worse.
Don’t Miss: How To Make Asthma Go Away
Why Might Someone With Asthma Be Without An Inhaler
However, this doesnt mean that everyone with asthma has an inhaler with them at all times. Often when someone has been living without symptoms for a long time, they may assume that their asthma has gone, and so get out of the habit of carrying one. Some people might develop symptoms suddenly for the first time as an adult, with no preparation. Others might just sometimes forget. Unfortunately, not having an inhaler wont stop an attack.
What If You Have An Asthma Attack And No Inhaler
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 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:
Recommended Reading: How Long Does It Take For Asthma To Go Away