We all know people who have asthma, but 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 that 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 and 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 and 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 and 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, and 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. If 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.

First Aid for Life and onlinefirstaid.com provides this information for guidance.  It is not in any way a substitute for medical advice. First Aid for Life is not responsible or liable for any diagnosis made, or actions taken based on this information. It is strongly advised that you attend a practical First Aid course to understand what to do in a medical emergency.

Written by Emma Hammett from First Aid for life   http://www.firstaidforlife.org.uk