Acute Asthma Attack Treatment

"Acute asthma attack" means that the asthmatic is reacting to an allergen and has begun to wheeze, cough and gasp for breath. He may not be able to breathe, or is breathing very raggedly. He may not be able to talk. He may collapse. His body may be convulsing. He knows what is happening, because this has probably happened before, but he is terrified nonetheless. He cannot breathe and he needs immediate help. Acute asthma attacks are frightening situations for both the asthmatic and the onlooker, but there are treatments said onlookers can administer that may save the asthmatic's life.

Facts

Asthma is a disease of the airways. A person with asthma has a constricted airway that is inflamed, swollen and sensitive to particles in the air even when he is not having an attack. Usually, asthmatics know that certain allergens, called triggers, will send them into an attack; but sometimes an unknown trigger catches them off guard and sends them into an acute asthma attack. This could be anything from smoke to perfume fragrance to dust particles. When the asthmatic suffers an acute attack, it is urgent that you help him breathe again immediately, or he could suffer irreversible damage or death.

Fast-Acting Inhalers

Asthmatics carry inhalers with them because they know they may suffer from an acute attack at any time. An inhaler is a prescription medicine dispensed in a small vial with a pump. You simply insert the mouthpiece end into the mouth and press down on the pump to deliver a puff of medicine to the asthmatic. When an asthmatic feels an attack coming on, she will usually medicate herself; but sometimes, the attack is sudden and without warning, so she may be unable to get to her inhaler without help. Anyone witnessing this situation should help the asthmatic administer her inhaler.

Emergency Room

Once the asthmatic uses his inhaler, he may not be out of the woods yet. If he continues to have difficulty breathing, call for an ambulance to take him to the emergency room. The health-care professionals there can administer medicine to stabilize the asthmatic and bring him out of his acute asthma attack.

Instructions

If you see an asthmatic having an acute attack, the first thing to do is help him to a sitting position. Sitting is a better position than lying down for breathing purposes. Now ask him for instructions on how to help him (if he is able to talk to you). Alternatively, look for a card with written instructions; asthmatics carry with them for just these circumstances.

Removal

Remove the irritant from the vicinity of the asthmatic if you know what is causing the condition. Many times, the asthmatic knows what is causing the attack; he may point to a person or an object. Move this object away or ask the person to leave. If possible, move the asthmatic to a sanitary room away from irritating allergens.