Asthma

Asthma is a chronic lung disease that inflames and narrows the airways. Asthma causes recurrent periods of wheezing, coughing, tightness of chest, shortness of breath. It affects all ages but is most typically seen in ages 5 to 17 years. The swelling of the airways is often associated to exposure (what they breath) around them.

Causes: Often a "trigger" such as exposure to allergen (in the air) or exercise. 

Symptoms:

• Wheezing/Coughing

• SOB (Shortness of breath)

• Inability to speak

• Chest tightness

Treatment:

• • Call 911 if::

    1. Having a very hard time breathing

    2. Turning blue in the lips or fingers

    3. Vomiting

    4. Convulsing while breathing (using stomach muscles excessively to breathe)

  • "

  • Move away from the "trigger" (allows expansion of lungs)

  • Place in sitting in a tripod position (allows expansion of lungs)

  • Ask: "Do you have an inhaler?" (which you or they may be able to retrieve)

  • Shake 5 times and hand to patient to use.

• Call 911 if symptoms do not subside

If patient has no inhaler:

• Call 911

  • Get away from the trigger. The asthma attack could be triggered by dust, cigarette smoke or the smell of chemicals (e.g., ammonia, chlorine gas, sulphur dioxide). Get away from the trigger as soon as possible and go to an air-conditioned environment or any place with clean air.

  • Sit upright. Stop whatever you are doing and sit upright. Bending over or lying down can constrict your breathing even more.

  • Take long, deep breaths. This helps to slow down your breathing and prevent hyperventilation. Breathe in through your nose and breathe out through your mouth ("pursing" the lips may help back flow and opening of bronchi).

  • Stay calm. Staying calm may prevent further tightening of your chest muscles and make your breathing easier.

Some times it can be tricky distinguishing asthma from heart attack in adults. Typical symptoms of angina, chest pain (or related chest symptoms, and heavy chest pressure) are not usually seen with asthma. However, an individual with symptoms of shortness of breath without other explanation should seek immediate medical attention. If severe, call 911.

References:

• 1. Acute Asthma Attack Treatment for Children   From WebMD

  2. Acute Asthma Attack Treatment for Adults   From WebMD

  3. How to Survive an Asthma Attack if You're Caught Without Your Inhaler   From Health Xchange.com.sg

  4. How to help your child use an inhaler   From Great Ormond Street Hospital, for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London

  5. How Can I Tell The Difference Between A Heart Condition And Asthma?   From Bruce Bochner, M.D., Chief, Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine