An asthma attack is a sudden worsening of symptoms which is caused by the muscles around the airways tightening. During an attack the insides of the airways become swollen and/or inflamed and produce thicker mucus. These factors cause symptoms of an asthma attack which are difficulty in breathing, wheezing and coughing.
How to help someone having an asthma attack
1. During an attack, the patient finds it easier to sit down and breathe than to lay down. Help the patients to sit and make sure they are as comfortable as possible
2. Most patients know how to deal with an asthma attack, so ask them what to do. Ask if they have an inhaler and where it is. If they do not have an inhaler, ask them if you need to call for help.
3. Help them use the inhaler. The inhaler is designed to deliver a dose of asthma medication that relaxes the airways and helps restore normal breathing. You should give two to four puffs of the inhaler then wait five minutes for the next dose. Position the inhaler between the patients lips and let them know when you are about to give a puff.
4. Once you have given the medication to patient, observe them for several minutes. Ask if breathing is becoming easier.
5. If the patient does not respond to the medication within ten minutes, call an ambulance and continue to give puffs of medication every five minutes while you are waiting for the ambulance.
6. Remember to stay calm as this will help the patient remain calm. If the patient panics, it will make the attack worse. Keep talking calmly and reinforce that everything is under control.
No comments:
Post a Comment