All asthmatics are afraid of attacks during which breathing is disturbed, and suffocation occurs. If the patient is not timely helped, then he may lose consciousness, fall into a coma, or even die. Every asthmatic should know what to do with an asthma attack, as an ambulance may simply not have time to arrive.
There are several methods that help to temporarily normalize well-being in order to wait for the arrival of a doctor.
Causes of asthma
Asthma is believed to be due to a genetic predisposition and environmental exposure. In addition, the disease can be triggered by:
- secondhand smoke;
- taking medications that cause cramping;
- frequent contact with an allergen;
- infectious respiratory diseases;
- stress and anxiety.
In addition, such a disease occurs due to poor environmental conditions, significant physical exertion.
Main symptoms
Among the main symptoms of bronchial asthma, it is necessary to distinguish such as:
- severe dry cough;
- heaviness in the chest;
- hard breath;
- suffocation.
At night, the patient experiences special discomfort, since in a horizontal position his breathing is even more difficult. As a result, a person suffocates all night.
What triggers an attack?
With the course of the disease, an asthma attack quite often occurs. What to do in this case, should know every person who suffers from this disease. In addition, it is imperative to understand what can provoke such a condition. Often, factors such as:
- strong smell of chemicals;
- smoking;
- perfume fragrance;
- car exhausts;
- taking certain medications.
Asphyxiation can occur instantly or after a few minutes. It is important to detect a violation in a timely manner, not to panic, and to know what to do if asthma attacks begin.
Symptoms of an attack
If the onset of an attack is determined in a timely manner, then serious consequences can be prevented. Often, a person has 5-7 minutes until breathing problems become more serious. It is important to take immediate action if signs such as:
- uneven breathing;
- attacks of frequent and dry cough;
- shortness of breath even with minor exertion;
- compression of the chest.
The breathing during an attack is uneven, it is impossible to take a full breath. A frequent, dry cough is observed, as the body tries to clear the airways, but to no avail.
Shortness of breath occurs even with slight exertion or slight inclines. If disturbances have begun, even a minimal effort is enough to make breathing intermittent.
The patient often complains that during the attack, the chest is compressed and it is impossible to take a normal breath. It is important to recognize the occurrence of the problem in a timely manner in order to prevent dangerous complications.
Attack in children
The algorithm for the occurrence of respiratory failure in children is exactly the same as in adults and suggests the appearance of precursors before the onset of an attack. This condition can last several hours or days. At this time, the child becomes too active, his sleep is disturbed and he behaves uneasy. Basically, an attack occurs at night and the reasons for this are to increase the activity of biological substances that provoke narrowing of the bronchi.
When an asthma attack occurs in a child, what to do with this should be known to each parent in order to help his baby in a timely manner. Basically, it can be stopped by inhalation with special drugs. It is also important to reassure the child, provide him with complete peace and immediately call an ambulance.
Pregnancy Attack
The symptomatic manifestation of asthma during pregnancy is no different from the usual state and does not depend on the form of the course. Initially, pre-asthma appears in the form of chronic development of bronchial diseases or pneumonia, but without suffocation.
At the initial stage of the course, an attack occurs quite rarely and manifests itself in the form of a dry cough. Then it becomes more frequent at night, accompanied by a lack of oxygen, rhinitis and a painful cough. An increase in seizure can be sharp and unpredictable. The most dangerous complication is asthmatic status.
If an asthma attack is periodically observed during pregnancy, what to do in this case, the doctor will tell, that is why a woman should be regularly observed by a doctor.
Treatment features
Bronchial asthma is a very serious illness that can be fatal. Such a pathology cannot be completely cured, but the doctor will prescribe a symptomatic treatment that will lead an almost full life. Only a correctly selected treatment regimen and compliance with all the doctor’s prescriptions will prevent serious attacks. The effectiveness of the prescribed treatment can be assessed by the patient himself, taking into account criteria such as:
- the disease is completely under control;
- there is almost no need for assistance;
- an asthmatic leads a full life;
- over time, the need for anti-asthma drugs passes.
If the disease proceeds this way, then this indicates that the treatment was chosen correctly. In this case, the risk of complications is minimized. If an asthmatic cannot lead a normal life, it means that the therapy was chosen incorrectly.
Alternative treatment
Quite often, during the course of the disease, an asthma attack occurs. What to do at home - this question is of interest to so many patients. You can stop choking with the help of decoctions of herbs, however, doctors categorically do not recommend this, as self-medication can provoke a deterioration in well-being.
If such techniques can not be used for exacerbation of the disease, then they can be used during remission. Often used tools such as:
- berries of viburnum;
- yarrow broth;
- licorice root;
- coltsfoot.
In order to prevent patients with asthma, it is very useful to drink a turnip broth or an infusion of elderberry flowers. In addition, therapeutic inhalations can be made with the same decoctions. Before using any means, it is recommended that you first consult with your doctor.
How can I stop an attack?
What to do with an asthma attack at home - absolutely everyone who suffers from this disease should know. First aid measures include taking the right position for the patient and using medications. When there is an attack of suffocation, the patient needs to take the position of the coachman, namely, to sit down, straighten up and straighten out the stomach a little to relax the chest as much as possible. Hands and feet should be completely relaxed and for this you need to hang them down. This helps to slightly reduce choking.
If the first signs of asthma are detected, the patient should be given the medications prescribed by the doctor to eliminate the attack. Asthmatics are prescribed steroid medications for inhalation.
In addition, you can use a compress based on mustard powder. To do this, dissolve 15 g of mustard powder in 1 liter of water, moisten the tissue in this solution, squeeze it well and attach it to the chest. For a better result, wrap it on top with a warm towel. This will help achieve muscle relaxation and help the patient cough up. The duration of such a procedure is no more than 30 minutes.
Consumption of natural coffee will help reduce spastic contractions of the bronchi and ease choking at the time of the attack. To do this, it is recommended to drink more than 2 cups of coffee daily.
Inhaler application
If a severe asthma attack, what to do to normalize the condition - this question is of interest to many who suffer from this disease. At the time of first aid, you need to know how to use the inhaler correctly. To ensure comfortable use, the drug bottle is installed in a special mouthpiece, with which the drug enters the bronchi.
For each inhalation, the device must be shaken well and turned upside down. Then the patient should take a deep breath and take the end of the mouthpiece into his mouth, press with his lips, inhale strongly, sharply pressing on the aerosol with the medicine. Inhale until the drug runs out. After the procedure, you need to drink some water and rinse your mouth.
Nebulizer application
What to do with an attack of bronchial asthma if there is no inhaler, but there is a nebulizer? Using this means of inhalation is a fairly effective method not only for stopping the attacks of the disease, but also for its treatment, aimed at normalizing well-being.
Modern nebulizers provide deep penetration of the drug into the tissues of the bronchi. Nebulizers provide a more pronounced therapeutic effect.
Elimination of an attack without an inhaler
You must know what to do if there is an asthma attack and there is no inhaler, because asphyxiation always occurs suddenly, but you can’t hesitate. Be sure to follow these recommendations:
- stop panic and take a comfortable position;
- remove all crushing garments;
- open all windows and doors;
- remove allergens from the room;
- do wet cleaning in the room.
At home, you can stop the attack using steam inhalation. To do this, take 0.5 liters of hot water, dissolve in it 3 tsp. baking soda and 2 drops of iodine. Then bend over the container with the finished solution, cover with a towel and breathe over the solution. In addition, you can use a paper bag, as this will help replace the inhaler and stop choking.
What to do if a person has an asthma attack is very strong - is of interest to many patients, as this can lead to the death of the patient. If he begins to choke, then you need to urgently call an ambulance. The patient is hospitalized in the intensive care unit for treatment.
Medical assistance
If an asthma attack is observed, the attending doctor who strictly monitors the patient's well-being can tell what to do. If first aid has not brought any results and your health is only getting worse, then you need to call an ambulance.
Doctors should urgently stop the attack by using medications that are administered in the form of an injection or dropper. In a difficult situation, an urgent need to deliver a person to the hospital. If asthma attacks drag out for a long time and are difficult to treat, then a more intense medication should be provided.