ACUTE ASTHMA

Asthma is regarded as a chronic inflammation of the airway which tend to cause muscle spasm,increase mucus secretion and cause narrowing of the airway. Hence the breathlessness the sufferers experience. Its usually triggered by a factor.

Common triggers:
Chest infection,pollen,dust,fur,smoke,fumes from frying oil,cold,exercise,excessive emotions...


Pointers:
_Breathlessness
_difficulty in speech
_chest tightness
_Wheezing
_Persistent cough
_Poor skin colour


¤ Mild attack:


Short of breath, wheeze, cough, chest tightness.



¤ Moderate attack:
Loud wheeze, breathing difficulties, can only speak in short sentences.



¤ Severe attack:
Distressed, gasping for breath, difficulty speaking two words, blueness around the mouth.

WHAT TO DO:

* Remove the person from source of triggering factor

* Rest the person,usually the person sits up,leans forward with his hand on a table or on his knees.

* Administer his reliever medication,one puff at a time (usually one minute interval), use spacer if available,especially for a child.

* Give 3 puffs (mild attack) then 6-8 puffs (severe attack) waiting for a minute between each puff and, if no improvement, repeat after 4 to 6 minutes(depending on the severity).

* Rush to hospital or call paramedic,if these measures are not helpful.



HOW TO GIVE THE PUFFS

#1. Using the inhaler with spacer...

*Remove cap and shake inhaler well.



* Insert inhaler into spacer.



*Have the person breathe out completely and put mouth tightly around spacer mouthpiece.



*Press inhaler once to deliver a puff.

Have the person breathe in slowly through the mouth and then hold breath for 10 seconds.



* Give a total of 4 puffs( for mild attack) or 6-8 puffs (for severe attack), waiting about a minute between each puff.



#2. Using Inhaler Without a Spacer...

*

Remove the inhaler cap and shake well.

*

Have the person breathe out all the way and seal lips tightly around inhaler mouthpiece.



* As the person starts to breathe in slowly, press down on inhaler one time.

The person should keep breathing in as slowly and deeply as possible (about five to seven seconds) and then hold breath for 10 seconds.

*

Give a total of four puffs ( for mild attack) and 6 to 8 puffs( for severe attack), waiting about one minute between each puff.

* After each set of the 4 or 6 puffs, wait for 4 or 6 minutes (depending on the severity). If the person still has trouble breathing, give another set of 4 or 6 puffs.

*

If there’s still little or no improvement, repeat the steps

until ambulance arrives or hospital is reached.

[ Remember to start CPR when the need arises ]
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