What To Do When Someone Has An Asthma Attack

Question : Do Your Symptoms Get Worse When You Go Out In The Garden Or Are Near Pets

You answered yes.

You answered no.

• A worsening of asthma symptoms is known as an asthma exacerbation, or more commonly, as an asthma attack. These are induced by triggers stimulus that cause increased severity of symptoms.
• Triggers are often something airborne that inflame the bronchi when they come into contact with them.
• Common triggers include allergens such as pollen, pet hair, or dust, but an asthma attack can also be triggered by non-allergic reactions, such as to cigarette smoke, exhaust fumes, certain foods or medicines, or an abrupt change in the weather.
• An attack can even be brought on by stress a number of changes in the body take place when were under pressure, which can lead to increased chest tightness and heavy breathing.
• The body also releases chemicals in periods of stress, such as leukotrienes and histamines, which can cause inflammation of the airways.

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Using Medicine As Prescribed Can Prevent Asthma Attacks

• Inhaled corticosteroids and other control medicines can prevent asthma attacks.
• Rescue inhalers or nebulizers can give quick relief of symptoms
• But . . . about half of children who are prescribed asthma control medicines do not use them regularly.

The Federal government is

• Working with state, territorial, private and non-government partners to support medical management, asthma-self management education, and, for people at high risk, home visits to reduce triggers and help with asthma management. ,
• Providing guidelines, tools such as asthma action plans, and educational messages to help children, their caregivers, and healthcare professionals better manage asthma.
• Promoting policies and best practices to reduce exposure to indoor and outdoor asthma triggers such as tobacco smoke and air pollution.
• Tracking asthma rates and assuring efficient and effective use of resources invested in asthma services.

Doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers are

Some payers/health insurance plans are

Parents and children are

Signs You Actually Have Severe Asthma

Breathing is just one of those things you take for granted until it feels like every inhale or exhale is a struggle. Unfortunately, people with severe asthma have to deal with breathing issues way more often than anyone should, and it can be completely terrifying.

Asthma is a respiratory condition that affects the airways that extend from your nose and mouth to your lungs, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute . When youre exposed to triggers like animal fur, pollen, mold, exercise, and respiratory infections, these airways can narrow, restricting your airflow. This can then make the muscles surrounding your airways constrict, making it even harder to breathe, and cause your airways to produce more mucus than normal, further compounding the problem. All together, this can lead to asthma symptoms like shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing , and chest tightness or pain, according to the NHLBI.

Like most health conditions, asthma severity runs along a spectrum, Emily Pennington, M.D., a pulmonologist at the Cleveland Clinic, tells SELF. Some people have cases where they experience minor symptoms here and there . Others can have asthma that is basically an ever-present problem and might result in scary asthma attacks, which is when symptoms ramp up in severity and can even become life-threatening.

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Good News About Asthma

Unlike other respiratory diseases like bronchitis and emphysema, asthma does not tend to cause permanent damage.

There are excellent prescription medications available from your physician and pharmacist to treat asthma either by relieving symptoms or by controlling them on a long term basis and preventing attacks .

You can learn to monitor and predict asthma attacks or prevent them altogether.

You can find out what there is in the environment or in your lifestyle that might bring on or trigger an asthma attack or symptoms and take measures to minimize it.

Asthma is not contagious you cannot pass it on to someone else like the flu or a cold.

Understanding this health condition and working with your physician on a treatment and prevention plan will give you the power to take part in your own treatment and enjoy a healthy, active life without fear of disability or being hospitalized.

The bottom line is that what you thought was a frightening condition can become nothing more than an occasional inconvenience. All the good news above will become more meaningful as you continue reading the information in this site.

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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.

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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.

Asthma Signs & Symptoms

People with asthma experience symptoms due to inflammation in the airways. They might only occur when you encounter an asthma trigger. Common symptoms that can lead to a diagnosis of asthma include:

• Persistent or recurring coughing: which often occurs at night or early in the morning, although it can happen at any time. Coughing is a major feature of asthma, especially in children and can sometimes be the only sign of asthma.
• Wheezing: is difficulty breathing accompanied by a whistling sound coming from your airways
• Shortness of breath: gives you the feeling that you cant get enough air into your lungs, and may even find it difficult to eat, sleep or speak
• Chest tightness: an unpleasant sensation of heaviness or pressure in the chest that can make it hard to breathe
• Increased mucus production: is characterized by high levels of thick fluid or phlegm accumulating in your airways
• Difficulty breathing while exercising: having trouble breathing while performing physical activities can be a sign of asthma
• Losing Sleep: Being unable to sleep through the night because of breathing troubles

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Avoid A Contact With Allergen

The most common cause of asthma are allergies, so the most effective method of preventing another attack, in this case, will be to avoid contact with a specific allergen.

Allergic To House Dust Mites

In case of allergy to house dust mites, it is good to use acaricides, agents that cause agglomeration of allergenic mite excrements, and their remains.

You can use covers for bedding that do not let mite excrement pass.

Also, keep the right temperature and humidity in your bedroom.

Besides, it is worth washing the pillow and quilt every 2-3 weeks at 60 degrees this will significantly reduce your asthma symptoms.

Pollen Allergy

It is a very common allergy that causes acute asthma attacks. If this is your problem read the pollen calendar not to be surprised by the appearance of symptoms such as a runny nose, sneezing, tearing, and after that, coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath.

During the pollen season, you should ventilate your home in the morning or late afternoon.

Outside of closed rooms, you must use protective glasses, avoid places with the highest pollen concentration, i.e., near dusty trees, meadows, or pastures.

When you get home, it is best to wash anything that has been exposed to pollen nose, face, ears, exposed parts of the body to wash off this allergen.

Immunotherapy is a good idea. Desensitization can significantly alter your responses to pollen. This is a very good method that is safe and highly effective in an allergists hands.

Food Allergy

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.

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How To Help Someone With An Asthma Attack Without An Inhaler

Asthma is a very common condition with around one in 13 of us affected. Itâs been increasing since the 1980s and affects people of all ages and backgrounds. Thereâs currently no cure for asthma, but typically with the right treatment plan and lifestyle changes, most people diagnosed with asthma are able to live normally without severe symptoms.

However, very occasionally, a person with asthma may be caught off guard. They might find themselves facing an attack without an inhaler to help them. Fortunately, this doesnât need to be as bad as it might sound. With the right assistance, they could get through an attack using some simple coping techniques.

If you know someone with asthma, learning more about their condition, as well as what you can do to help them, can be valuable.

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Make Them A Hot Drink

A hot drink, like a cup of coffee or tea, can help to open the airways, providing some short-term relief, and giving you time to seek medical assistance.

If you or someone that you know has experienced symptoms of asthma or has been diagnosed and needs further help, you can learn more by contacting Allergy and Asthma Center, P.C.

The Allergy and Asthma Center, P.C. is committed to offering a friendly and relaxed approach to treating asthma patients of all ages, from all walks of life. Firmly believing that all patientsâ needs are unique and that everyone deserves a fully personalized consultation and treatment plan. Get in touch with our friendly and knowledgeable staff today at 920-969-1768, for more information and help.

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With Nocturnal Asthma Symptoms Are Worse At Night

You may notice that your asthma symptoms worsen at night.

Classified as nocturnal asthma, this type involves the same symptoms as other types of asthma, but they are exacerbated during the evening hours:

• Coughing
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Inflammation of airway

In a series of surveys of asthmatic patients from different countries, nocturnal asthmatic symptoms were reported in 47 to 75 percent of cases. No matter which type of asthma you have, you may experience difficulties breathing at night.

Its unclear whether or not there is a circadian rhythm factor or an additional aspect of sleep that makes asthmatic symptoms worse. Some triggers that may make asthmatic symptoms worse in the evening include:

• Having a cold, flu, or virus
• Dust or other allergens
• Acid reflux
• Anti-inflammatory drugs or pain relievers or beta-blockers

Nocturnal asthma has been shown to negatively affect mental performance in children. A study published in the Archives of Diseases in Children found that children whose sleep was disturbed by nocturnal asthma also exhibited signs of psychological problems and impaired functioning in school.

Fortunately, researchers found that mental function improved when asthma symptoms were treated.

What Are Common Ways To Diagnose Asthma

Personal and medical history. Your doctor will ask you questions to understand your symptoms and their causes. Bring notes to help jog your memory. Be ready to answer questions about your family history, the medicines you take and your lifestyle. This includes any current physical problems. Shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing and tightness in your chest may show asthma. This also includes all previous medical conditions. A history of allergies or eczema increases your chance of asthma. A family history of asthma, allergies or eczema increases your chance of having asthma, too. Tell your doctor about any home or work exposure to environmental factors that can worsen asthma. For example, these might include pet dander, pollen, dust mites and tobacco smoke. The doctor may also ask if you get chest symptoms when you get a head cold.

Physical exam. If your doctor thinks you have asthma, they will do a physical exam. They will look at your ears, eyes, nose, throat, skin, chest and lungs. This exam may include a lung function test to detect how well you exhale air from your lungs. You may also need an X-ray of your lungs or sinuses. A physical exam then allows your doctor to review your health.

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Know The Four Steps Of Asthma First Aid

Its important for everyone in the community to know the four steps of asthma first aid.:

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.

• the person is not breathing
• their asthma suddenly becomes worse
• the person is having an asthma attack and theres no blue reliever medication available.

Signs That You Need To Use Asthma First Aid

If you are experiencing any of the following signs, start asthma first aid. Do not wait until asthma is severe.

Mild to moderate asthma signs :

• minor difficulty breathing
• able to talk in full sentences
• able to walk or move around
• may have a cough or wheeze.

Severe asthma signs for an ambulance and commence asthma first aid):

• obvious difficulty breathing
• cannot speak a full sentence in one breath
• tugging of the skin between ribs or at base of neck
• may have cough or wheeze
• reliever medication not lasting as long as usual.

Life-threatening asthma signs for an ambulance and commence asthma first aid):

• finds it very difficult to breathe
• unable to speak one to two words per breath
• confused or exhausted
• is getting little or no relief from their reliever inhaler
• may no longer have wheeze or cough.

In asthma emergencies, follow your Asthma Action Plan.

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What Should I Do If My Friend Is Having An Asthma Attack

What should I do if my friend is having an asthma attack? Zahara*

An asthma flare-up can be scary, both for the person having it and anyone who sees it happening. A friend who knows how to handle the situation can be a big help.

Heres what to do:

• Stay calm and be reassuring. Help your friend relax. If someone who is having a flare-up panics, it can make it even harder to breathe.
• Take your friend away from any possible asthma , like .
• Have your friend sit upright. Lying down might make breathing more difficult.
• If your friend can talk, ask what his or her asthma action plan says to do during a flare-up. If your friend is able to tell you, follow the plan.
• If your friend cant speak or doesnt remember what to do, ask if he or she has an inhaler to use during flare-ups. If so, get the inhaler and help your friend to use it.
• the inhaler doesnt help
• the inhaler helps at first but then your friend gets worse again
• an inhaler is not available
• your friend is having trouble talking or is struggling to breathe
• your friends lips are turning blue
• your friend becomes unconscious

Friends can be the first line of defense for someone who is having an asthma flare-up. So its great that you want to be prepared!

Date reviewed: May 2014

*Names have been changed to protect user privacy.

Note: All information on KidsHealth is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.