How to Stop an Asthma Attack With Antacids

Recent studies at BioMed Central have shown that taking an antacid during an asthma attack can help to treat some asthma symptoms. During an asthma attack, additional acid can build up in the lungs and make other asthma symptoms worse. Although taking an antacid will neither completely stop asthma symptoms nor completely stop an asthma attack, it can slow down the attack enough to give you time to use other asthma treatments or get medical treatment.

Things You'll Need

• Liquid or solid antacid

Instructions

1. When you feel an asthma attack beginning, try to stay calm. Try to relax and breathe as deeply as you can. This approach will help you regulate your breathing and get more air into your lungs.

2. Once you have stabilized your breathing, get an antacid. It doesn't matter if the antacid is liquid or solid. Open the antacid and take as directed.

3. After taking the antacid, continue to breathe as deeply as you can. As the antacid begins to work, breathing should become a bit easier.

4. Once you feel safe enough to do so, take an asthma medication as instructed. If breathing is still difficult after taking the antacid and the other medication, seek immediate medical attention.

Tips & Warnings

• Always try to stay calm during an asthma attack. Panic can make asthma symptoms worse. If you're a smoker, stop smoking; nonsmokers should avoid smoky areas. Smoke can contribute to the onset on asthma symptoms.

• Talk to your doctor before using antacid to treat asthma symptoms.

References

• Annals of Thoracic Medicine
• Asthma and Allergy Information and Research
• BioMed Central