If someone is having an asthma attack, it can be quite frightening, and you may not know what to do. This article will tell you how to deal with it.
- Determine if they have asthma. If they are wheezing, they might be unable to answer. Whatever their response, get them to sit down. Many times, asthmatics will sit in a "tripod" position; this is when they place their hands on their knees or legs and lean forward in a sitting position, creating a tripod. If there is an extreme in difficulty breathing, the person may even collapse or even grab at the air in an attempt to get air into their lungs to breathe) The tripod position helps relieve pressure on the diaphragm and allows for greater lung expansion. Getting them to answer will help you determine the severity of the attack. If the person can talk in complete sentences, they are not having SEVERE difficulty breathing.
- Make them sit down. Standing and laying down are bad position for an asthmatic to be in, as it puts pressure on the lungs. Make them sit down, but be ready to support them if they collapse. If they have already collapsed, SIT THEM UP AND SUPPORT THEM
- Find their inhaler. Most asthmatics will have an inhaler. This is usually blue, gray, brown or red and in the shape of an L.
- Let them administer medication unless you know how to do so/are qualified to do intervene.Give them the inhaler; don't try to administer it yourself. Inhalers have to be timed, and you can make them choke if you try it yourself. Let them handle it. Do not be alarmed by how many puffs they take.It is very difficult to sustain any harm from an inhaler overdose, so let the patient do whatever they feel is necessary.
- Wait for recovery. Inhalers work almost immediately. If their breathing returns to normal, relax and call an ambulance. Although they may be breathing now, their body will be deprived of oxygen and EMS providers can help treat this with high flow high concentrated oxygen. They need medical treatment anyway. If their breathing doesn't return to normal call an ambulance and stay with them. It may be an allergy. Treat it as such.
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