We all know people who have asthma. However, very few of us would know what to do if someone close by started to have a serious asthma attack and was struggling to breathe. Read on to find out what asthma is, what may trigger it and how to help someone having an asthma attack.
What is asthma?
Asthma is an extremely common chronic and potentially life threatening condition. It affects nearly 10% of children and a large number of adults too. There are over 25,000 emergency hospital admissions for asthma amongst children in the UK every year and many more when you include adult asthmatics too. Many asthmatics find that there is a particular time of year when their asthma becomes more difficult to control. For some the cold weather is a challenge. However for many Spring is particularly difficult.
When someone has Asthma; their airways go into spasm which causes tightness of the chest; the linings of the airways become inflamed and produce phlegm leading to extreme difficulty in breathing.
What are the triggers?
There are many different triggers for asthma attacks. Many asthmatics are well aware of their trigger points, although they may not always be able to avoid them.
Pollen and pollution are increasingly responsible for triggering asthma. Many people find a worsening of their symptoms in Spring, combined with the onset of hay fever. There are many species of grasses, trees and weeds in the UK. Some people are particularly sensitive to some and do not react at all to others. There is also huge variation around the country as to when pollen is released. People can begin to suffer from hay fever as early as January. About 20% of people with hay fever are allergic to birch tree pollen and this, as well as oak and plane trees, is responsible for many unpleasant symptoms and can exacerbate asthma.
Grass pollens are the most common cause of hay fever and usually affect people in May, June and July.
Weed pollens (such as nettles and docks) usually release pollen from early spring to early autumn.
If you know pollen is a trigger for your asthma, speak to your GP or asthma nurse.
The Met Office issues really useful pollen advice.
Alcohol can make it harder to control your asthma
Please note that alcohol contains histamine which is also released as part of the body’s reaction to allergies – it is therefore strongly suggested that alcohol can increase the sensitivity of the body to pollen and other allergens. It is advisable to avoid alcohol if you have a prone to allergic reactions or are asthmatic.
What are some of the symptoms of asthma?
- coughing
- wheezing
- shortness of breath
- tightness in the chest
- often people find it particularly difficult to breathe out and have an increase in sticky mucus and phlegm
Not everyone will get all of these symptoms.
How to help in an asthma attack?
If someone is having an asthma attack, always follow the instructions outlined on their medication. However, if they do not have them to hand, these are the steps to follow (these guidelines are suitable for both children and adults):
Be calm and reassuring as reducing the stress and keeping the casualty calm really helps them to control their symptoms and panic can increase the severity of an attack. Take one to two puffs of the reliever inhaler (usually blue), immediately – using a spacer device if available.
- Stay as calm as you can and encourage them to stay calm too
- Sit them down, loosen any tight clothing and encourage them to take slow, steady breaths.
- If they do not start to feel better, they should take more puffs of their reliever inhaler
- If they do not start to feel better after taking their inhaler as above, or if you are worried at any time, call 999/112.
- They should keep taking the reliever inhaler whilst waiting for the paramedics to arrive
- If you suspect the asthma attack maybe due to an allergic reaction and the reliever inhaler is not working. In case the person has been prescribed an adrenaline auto-injector in case of an acute allergic reaction – it would be advisable to give this injection into the upper, outer part of their thigh according to the instructions. If worried in any way, check with the emergency services and keep them informed and updated as to the casualty’s condition.
NOTE: Encouraging someone to sit upright is generally helpful when dealing with breathing problems. Sitting the wrong way round on a chair may be a good position for them.
DO NOT take them outside for fresh air if it is cold – as cold air makes symptoms worse.
What to do after an asthma attack?
They should make an appointment with your doctor or asthma nurse for an asthma review, ideally within 48 hours of their attack.
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Is it advisable to turn on a fan straight to them (person with asthma) when they’re attacked by asthma?
Please stick to the proven medication for asthma. I would never recommend pointing a fan in someone’s face if they are having an asthma attack.
My friend has an asthma attack and she is caught without an inhaler, can she use a normal inhaler for the mean time and what can I do to help her
Dear Matilda, Thanks for your message. I am unsure what you mean by a ‘normal’ inhaler. Your friend should have their blue reliever inhaler and should be using that if they are short of breath. Other coloured inhalers tend to be steroid based preventer inhalers and are not for emergency use. If she hasn’t got her blue reliever inhaler with her, she can take proof of her prescription to a chemist and they should be able to sell one to her. If she is having a serious asthma attack she will need medical help.
In a severe emergency attack what alternative is available if the person is not fit to use the inhaler
If they are not well enough to use their inhaler you need an ambulance fast and they will use nebulisers etc to help
If someone is having a asthma attack and can’t get a inhaler or ambulance what should they do?
They will need emergency treatment
My friend had an asthma attack in school and she didn’t had her inhaler. And she also suffers from anxiety attack at the same time; then what should be done in such a situation….
My friend had asthma attack in school and she didn’t had her inhaler and also during asthma attack she has an anxiety attack. So what should be done in such a situation.
How frightening for your friend. Ideally she would have her blue inhaler with her at all times and I do hope she will do this in future. The school is allowed to hold an emergency asthma inhaler for people prescribed an asthma pump and that would have helped on this occasion. Unfortunately not having swift access to an asthma pump when you are short of breath,can be very frightening and lead to a panic attack, which only makes things worse.
My really close friend has asthma
What if he had an asthma attack with me but his inhaler ran out
Please reply asap
Thanks Zack
Thank you for your message. If your friend has proof of his prescription, he is allowed to buy a replacement inhaler from the pharmacist. However, best that he keeps a close eye on his inhaler and ensures it remains in date and he orders a replacement when it is running low. There are 200 puffs in an inhaler. Best wishes Emma
My wife had her asthma attack in the midnight, she has no inhaler and we in a village, what should I do.
I do hope your wife is okay. Please get an inhaler for her and ensure she has it with her at all times.
Dear Lana, If you are having an asthma attack at the moment and are struggling to breathe. Get your parents and phone for an ambulance. If you are not having breathing problems, then don’t panic and try another pharmacy. Best wishes Emma
My cousin died this morning of an asthma attack. He didn’t want to go to the ER because of COVID and then the ambulance took 30 minutes to arrive. Is too late to help him now, but what do you do when the ambulance is taking too long? Is CPR an option if they’re unconscious?
What to do in an extreme case?
So very sorry to hear your news. If someone is unconscious and not breathing, CPR is always an option, whatever the cause