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,
Other Therapies For Severe Asthma Unresponsive To Usual Care
Many other therapies have been used to treat severe or refractory asthma .4689 However, none of them is currently considered a well-established therapy that can be recommended at this time. Several such interventions were tested in an era when higher-dose inhaled corticosteroid therapy with or without long-acting 2-agonists was not available as such, positive findings from older studies are of questionable relevance in contemporary practice. Methotrexate, gold and cyclosporin A have corticosteroid-sparing effects clinically that must be weighed against a serious adverse effect profile.4654 For example, low-dose oral methotrexate therapy, widely used in the treatment of rheumatologic diseases, has been reported to reduce the need for systemic corticosteroids in severe asthma, but study results have been inconsistent.4650 A few patients have been reported to benefit from oral gold therapy,53,54 and intravenous immunoglobulin has been reported to be of benefit, but only in uncontrolled studies.5559
Why Is My Asthma Worse At Night
Asthma that gets worse at night is sometimes called nighttime asthma or nocturnal asthma. There are no definite reasons that this happens, but there are some educated guesses. These include:
- The way you sleep: Sleeping on your back can result in mucus dripping into your throat or acid reflux coming back up from your stomach. Also, sleeping on your back puts pressure on your chest and lungs, which makes breathing more difficult. However, lying face down or on your side can put pressure on your lungs.
- Triggers in your bedroom and triggers that happen in the evening: You may find your blankets, sheets and pillows have dust mites, mold or pet hair on them. If youve been outside in the early evening, you may have brought pollen in with you.
- Medication side effects: Some drugs that treat asthma, such as steroids and montelukast, can affect your sleep.
- Air thats too hot or too cold: Hot air can cause airways to narrow when you breathe in. Cold air is an asthma trigger for some people.
- Lung function changes: Lung function lessens at night as a natural process.
- Asthma is poorly controlled during the day: Symptoms that arent controlled during the day wont be better at night. Its important to work with your provider to make sure your asthma symptoms are controlled both day and night. Treating nighttime symptoms is very important. Serious asthma attacks, and sometimes deaths, can happen at night.
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How To Nebulize A Baby At Home Without Nebulizer
If your baby is having difficulty breathing, you may be wondering how to nebulize a baby at home without a nebulizer. While it is always best to consult with a doctor before beginning any treatment, there are some things you can do at home to help ease your babys breathing.
First, make sure that the room you are in is well-ventilated. Open all of the windows and doors if possible. If not, turn on a fan or an air purifier to help circulate the air.
Next, gather everything you will need for the treatment: a cup of sterile water, a clean towel, and some saline solution . You will also need an inhaler or mask that fits snugly over your babys nose and mouth. Now its time to start the treatment. Fill the cup with sterile water and add the prescribed amount of medication to it. Place the towel over your babys head and shoulders so that it covers their chest as well .
Finally, position the inhaler or mask over their nose and mouth and have them take slow, deep breaths through their mouth for about 10 minutes.
Afterward, remove the towel and have your baby sit up so they can cough out any residual medication in their lungs. Make sure they stay upright for at least 20 minutes afterward to allow gravity to do its work!
What Should I Know About Covid
If you have asthma that is moderate-to-severe, or if your asthma symptoms arent well controlled, youre at greater risk of having to be hospitalized if you get COVID-19. Therefore, you should wear a mask if you go to indoor spaces with other people, get vaccinated and avoid exposure to people who have the virus.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Many people live fulfilling lives with asthma. Some professional athletes with asthma have set records in their sports. Your healthcare provider can help you find the best way to manage your asthma. Talk to your healthcare provider about how to control your symptoms.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 01/19/2022.
References
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What Are The Symptoms
You may have any of the following:
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Shortness of breath, trouble breathing, or fast breathing
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Trouble doing normal activities, such as exercising, playing sports, or doing chores that involve lifting
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Trouble talking
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Fingers or lips turning blue or gray
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A peak flow rate less than 80 percent of your personal best
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Tightness in your chest
What To Do If Youre Having An Attack
Weve previously discussed what to do if youre having an asthma attack without your inhaler. Now lets talk about what to do if youre experiencing an asthma attack and do have your inhaler.
If youre having an asthma attack, take the following steps:
Its also important to see your doctor after an asthma attack, even if you feel better. Its possible that your asthma medications or asthma action plan may need to be adjusted. This can help to reduce your chances of having another asthma attack in the future.
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What Is A Nebulizer
A nebulizer is an air compressor that turns liquid medicine into a mist, which can be breathed in with the help of a face mask or mouthpiece. Nebulizers are often used to treat persistent asthma because they deliver medication directly into the lungs where its needed most. A nebulizer may also be called an aerosol compressor or in some cases ventilator.
There are different types of nebulizers, but the most common type is the classic jet nebulizer. However, most doctors recommend using an ultrasonic nebulizer, which is more efficient in delivering asthma medication to the lungs.
Another type of nebulizer is the Beurer nebulizer, which has a short inhalation time and is more efficient to use. Electronic nebulizers come with a mouthpiece, air compressor, tubing, and a unit dose vial or medicine cup. If administering the treatment to a child, use a small volume nebulizer.
Whats great about nebulizer therapy is it doesnt interfere with your regular breathing pattern. Moreover, it can clear the respiratory airways of both organic dusts and inorganic dusts, such as talc dust.
What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Asthma
People with asthma usually have obvious symptoms. These signs and symptoms resemble many respiratory infections:
- Chest tightness, pain or pressure.
With asthma, you may not have all of these symptoms with every flare. You can have different symptoms and signs at different times with chronic asthma. Also, symptoms can change between asthma attacks.
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Do You Offer Asthma Treatment Near Me
Please keep in mind that asthma requires professional care and support, so diet, exercise, and the other self-care methods we mentioned arent adequate for managing the condition. The services of a professional are necessary. Also, its important to consult a professional before beginning any treatment methods like the ones we mentioned.
We offer many treatments and techniques for managing asthma here at Olivero Pediatrics. To learn more about them, reach out to us today. Our clinic is located at 1243 Skytop Mountain Rd. Suite 4, Port Matilda, PA 16870, and you can reach us at 256-4466. Youre also welcome to make a consultation or appointment with us, if you like!
Dont hesitate to reach out if you need more advice about how to help your child with their asthma!
Precautions To Be Aware Of
When used as directed, a nebulizer is generally considered safe to use.
However, its important that you avoid sharing medications with family members or loved ones. A healthcare provider needs to determine the right medication to use in the nebulizer based on an individuals health needs.
Nebulizers can also cause more harm than good if you dont keep them clean.
As liquid is emitted through the machine, this type of device can be a breeding ground for mold. Its important to clean and dry the tubes, spacers, and masks immediately after each use.
Follow the cleaning instructions that come with your nebulizer machine. You may be able to clean it with soap and sterile water, rubbing alcohol, or a dishwasher. Make sure all pieces are able to air dry.
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How To Take And Store
A member of your healthcare team and/or your pharmacist should go over the proper way to use your inhaler when it is first prescribed. Using your inhaler correctly is essential to ensuring you get a full dose of medication.
Albuterol inhalers are relatively easy to operate. A spacer is recommended as it ensures the medication goes deeper into the throat rather than being dispersed in the mouth.
If youre using the inhaler for the first time or have not used it in the past 14 days, you will need to prime it by shaking the canister and pressing it down four times to clear the opening.
Then, follow these five steps:
Be sure to clean your inhaler at least once a week to prevent clogs and contamination. Just remove the canister from its holder, rinse the holder under warm water for 30 seconds, and then allow it to dry overnight.
- Worsened breathing
If used excessively or for long periods of time, albuterol can lead to low potassium levels , which may be serious in people with kidney failure.
How Is Asthma Treated
Asthma medications play a central role in a treatment plan. Some medications prevent or reduce airway inflammation others interrupt the allergic reaction that triggers symptoms others relieve coughing and wheezing, making it easier to breathe.
Your doctor will work with you to find the right combination of medicines to manage your asthma and adjust the type and amount based on your symptoms and the type of asthma that you have. The goal of asthma treatment is to have you feel your best with the least amount of medicine.
Get to know your medications. Understand how and why they treat and soothe your lungs and airways. If youre prescribed an inhaler, ask for one with a dose counter. Learn when and how youre supposed to use your inhaler and follow your plan to better breathing.
When you hear the term steroids in asthma care, they are referring to NOT the anabolic steroids used illegally in body building.
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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.
What Asthma Treatment Options Are There
You have options to help manage your asthma. Your healthcare provider may prescribe medications to control symptoms. These include:
- Anti-inflammatory medicines: These medicines reduce swelling and mucus production in your airways. They make it easier for air to enter and exit your lungs. Your healthcare provider may prescribe them to take every day to control or prevent your symptoms.
- Bronchodilators: These medicines relax the muscles around your airways. The relaxed muscles let the airways move air. They also let mucus move more easily through the airways. These medicines relieve your symptoms when they happen.
- Biologic therapies for asthma when symptoms persist despite being on proper inhaler therapy.
You can take asthma medicines in several different ways. You may breathe in the medicines using a metered-dose inhaler, nebulizer or other inhaler. Your healthcare provider may prescribe oral medications that you swallow.
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After An Asthma Attack
You should see a GP or asthma nurse within 48 hours of leaving hospital, or ideally on the same day if you did not need hospital treatment.
About 1 in 6 people treated in hospital for an asthma attack need hospital care again within 2 weeks, so its important to discuss how you can reduce your risk of future attacks.
Talk to a doctor or nurse about any changes that may need to be made to manage your condition safely.
For example, the dose of your treatment may need to be adjusted or you may need to be shown how to use your inhaler correctly.
Can Asthma Go Away With Exercise
Exercise-induced asthma, also known as exercise-induced bronchoconstriction , is caused by prolonged exercise. As many as 90 percent of people with asthma experience EIB. This type of asthma usually hits five to 10 minutes after exercise ends the symptoms often go away on their own after 30 to 45 minutes of rest.
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Other Asthma First Aid Directions
Not everyone with asthma uses the same reliever medication.
Some people use a different blue reliever called Bricanyl which comes in a different type of inhaler called a Turbuhaler.
See the asthma first aid steps for those using Bricanyl.
Other people use a dual-purpose reliever. A dual-purpose reliever contains budesonide and formoterol together, and is used as-needed.
The combination of budesonide and formoterol in the dual-purpose reliever, when used as-needed, relieves symptoms and reduces risk of experiencing serious asthma flare-ups. It does this by relaxing tight airway muscles and treating inflammation in the airways.
Note: you may also be prescribed these medicines as a preventer. Always follow your doctors instructions on your asthma action plan about what to use in an asthma flare-up or asthma attack.
Know The 4 Steps Of Asthma First Aid
Its important for everyone in the community to know the 4 steps of asthma first aid.
One of the most common reliever medications in Australia is salbutamol, often known as your blue puffer. These are available over the counter from a chemist.
If you are not sure if someone is having an asthma attack, you can still use blue reliever medication because it is unlikely to cause harm.Call triple zero immediately if:
- the person is not breathing
- their asthma suddenly becomes worse or is not improving
- the person is having an asthma attack and theres no reliever medication available
- the person is unsure if it is asthma
- the person is known to have anaphylaxis. If this is the case, ALWAYS GIVE ADRENALINE AUTOINJECTOR FIRST, and then reliever, even if there are no skin symptoms.
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Heres How To Use An Inhaler
Anyone Having Difficulty Using An Inhaler Can Try A Nebulizer
While not technically an inhaler, theres yet another option for inhaling medicine.
Nebulizer If you have severe asthma and are unable to use a regular inhaler, a nebulizer may be a better option.
This machine turns liquid medicine into a fine mist that you inhale through a mouthpiece, a mask that fits over your nose and mouth, or into your mouth alone.
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Nebulizer Treatment And Asthma
Nebulizers are breathing machines that use an air compressor to turn liquid medicine into a fine mist. The mist is breathed in through a mask or mouthpiece.
The three main types of nebulizers are:
- Jet nebulizers: Jet nebulizers usually consist of an air compressor, a tube, a cup, and a mouthpiece. Pressurized air travels through the tube to turn the liquid medicine in the cup into an aerosol spray.
- Ultrasonic nebulizers: Ultrasonic nebulizers use sound waves to convert liquid medicine into a mist. They are quieter than jet nebulizers, but they are also typically more expensive.
- Mesh nebulizers:Mesh nebulizers use caps filled with small holes to convert liquid asthma medication into small droplets. Like ultrasonic nebulizers, they are quieter and more convenient than the classic jet nebulizers, but they tend to be more costly.
Some people with asthma prefer to use nebulizers because theyre easier to use. However, unlike inhalers, nebulizers have to be charged and disinfected regularly. They are also too large to bring with you wherever you go.