Wednesday, July 23, 2014

How to Treat Asthma Attacks

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Witnessing someone suddenly have trouble breathing can be terrifying, especially if you do not know what to do. It is important to stay calm and follow these steps for determining the cause of their breathing problem, treating an asthma attack with an inhaler, or for providing alternative treatments for asthmatics without an inhaler. If in doubt, call emergency services immediately.

Steps

Treat Severe Asthma Attacks
  1. Determine if the asthma attack is severe. Severe asthma attacks happen less frequently, but are characterized by[1]:
    • Wheezing or whistling produced by breathing in and out
    • Rapid breathing
    • Uncontrollable coughing
    • Chest pain or chest tightening
    • Difficulty talking
    • Anxiety or panic
    • Pale face and blue lips or fingers
    • Persistence of symptoms despite use of asthma medications
  2. In the case of a severe asthma attack, call emergency medical services before proceeding to the section immediately below. Most of the time, severe attacks will progress with few warnings.[2] If signs do occur, it is important to treat them immediately, so that they do not lead to severe attacks.
Treat Moderate Asthma Attacks
  1. Help the person sit down. Let them lean slightly forward onto you or a chair for support.
    • Some asthmatics may sit in a "tripod" position by leaning forward with their hands on their knees to relieve pressure on their diaphragm.
    • Because asthma can be triggered by secondhand smoke, banish any smokers from the vicinity.
  2. Calmly ask "Do you have asthma?" Even if they cannot verbally answer due to wheezing or coughing, they may nod or gesture towards their inhaler or an instruction card.
  3. Inform the person you are looking for their inhaler. Do this to keep them calm and reassure them that you are working with them, not against them.
    • Women may keep their inhaler in their handbag, and men in a pocket.
    • Some asthmatics, especially children or the elderly, may have a clear plastic tube called a spacer that attaches to the inhaler. A spacer delivers the medicine into their mouth with less force, making it easier to inhale.
    • If you cannot find their inhaler, go to the section below.
  4. Understand that there are different kinds of inhalers on the market. Depending on the situation, you may be forced to use a type of inhaler you are unfamiliar with.
    • MDIs, or metered dose inhalers. These are probably the most common inhalers. They are what the layperson thinks of when they think "inhaler." MDIs deliver asthma medication through a small aerosol canister equipped with a chemical propellant that pushes the medication into the lungs.[3]
    • DPIs, or dry powder inhalers. Dry powder inhalers require you to breathe in quickly and deeply, making them difficult to use during an asthma attack.[3] This makes them less popular than the standard MDIs. DPIs vary consistently from manufacturer to manufacturer, so care should be taken in reading the instructions before using.
    • Nebulizers. Nebulizers deliver asthma medication through a mouthpiece or mask. They are easy to use, because the patient breathes normally, but are somewhat bulkier than the MDIs. Nebulizers are common among children and elderly who suffer frequent asthma attacks.[3]
  5. Shake the inhaler for five seconds to mix the medication in the canister. [4]
    • If there is a spacer, attach it to the inhaler after shaking. Remove the cap from the mouthpiece.
  6. Prepare the person to receive medication from the inhaler. If the person has their head resting downward, temporarily lift their upper body back.
    • Help the person tilt their head back if necessary.
    • Have the asthmatic exhale as much as possible before using the inhaler.
  7. Allow them to administer their own medication.
    • Inhaler dosages must be appropriately timed, so allow the asthmatic control of this process. Help them support the inhaler or spacer against their lips if necessary.
    • Most asthmatics will pause for a minute or two between puffs.
  8. Call emergency services. Monitor the asthmatic until paramedics arrive.
    • Even if the asthmatic seems to get better after using their inhaler, it is best if a paramedic or healthcare professional can assess the person. If they do not want to go to the hospital, they can make that decision after being informed of their health status.
    • Continue to help them with their inhaler if necessary; even if the asthma attack does not decrease in severity the medication will help keep it from worsening by relaxing the airways.
Treat An Asthma Attack Without An Inhaler
  1. Call emergency medical services, especially if the asthmatic is young or elderly. People suffering from asthma attacks without inhalers are serious risk of asphyxiating.
  2. Find a drink with caffeine. Caffeine's chemical structure is similar to common asthma medications, and a small amount of coffee or soda can help relax the airways and reduce respiratory problems. [5]
    • The drug in question here is called theophylline.[6] There may not be enough theophylline present in coffee or tea to counteract the asthma attack, but it's better than sitting idly by and waiting for the attack to cure itself.
  3. Help the asthmatic move inside if the air is cold. Cold air can trigger asthma attacks; moving them into an area with warm or even humid air may help relieve symptoms.
    • If you or the asthmatic is at home, running a hot shower or bath can transform the bathroom into a good recovery zone. [4]
  4. Make use of common household drugs if you are at home. Certain drugs may help relieve the effects of an asthma attack in the case of emergency.
    • Administer a fast-acting antihistamine (allergy medicine) if you or the asthmatic thinks an allergen has triggered the reaction. This may be the case if you are outside on a day with a high pollen index. Antihistamines include:
      • Allegra, Benadryl, Dimetane, Claritin, Alavert, Tavist, Chlor-Trimeton, and Zyrtec, to name a few.[7]
      • Echinacea, Ginger, Chamomile, and Saffron are all natural antihistamines. If you can find any teas that contain these ingredients, that might help.
    • Use a pseudoephedrine like Sudafed. Sudafed is a nasal decongestant, but it could help during an asthma attack when an inhaler is not present.[6] It's best to break the pill down with a mortar and pestle and dissolve in warm water or tea before administering to limit the risk of choking.
  5. Try to calm the asthmatic. Asthma can be triggered by emotional stress, and the experience of an asthma attack is very frightening. Reassuring them will provide comfort and support.

Video

Warnings

  • The only over-the-counter medication for asthma attacks, called Primatene Mist, is no longer distributed. It has been banned by the United States FDA for using CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) as inhaler propellents, a substance that depletes the ozone layer. Because Primatene Mist is manufactured in the United States, it may not be available elsewhere. Primatene Mist is safe for an asthmatic to use so long as it has not expired. [8]

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Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://www.webmd.com/asthma/guide/asthma-attack
  2. ↑ http://www.webmd.com/asthma/guide/status-asthmaticus
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 http://www.webmd.com/asthma/guide/asthma-inhalers
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Kaiser Permanente, 1994, "Healthwise Handbook", ISBN: 1-877930-06-7
  5. ↑ http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/29/asthma-symptoms-try-caffeine/
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 http://www.thesurvivaldoctor.com/2012/05/03/asthma-attack-without-inhaler-9/
  7. ↑ http://www.webmd.com/allergies/guide/antihistamines-for-allergies
  8. ↑ http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm247196.htm

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