Is it bad to rest your head on a desk during an asthma attack?!
Question: I've noticed when I start wheezing during a bad attack, I will not have energy to keep my head up. As a result I will either hold my head in my hands, elbows propped on the desk/table. OR I will lie my head down on my arms, which are folded on the table/desk.
Is this a bad thing to do during an asthma attack? Does anyone else do this when they're trying to focus on breathing due to lack of strength?
Answers: I've noticed when I start wheezing during a bad attack, I will not have energy to keep my head up. As a result I will either hold my head in my hands, elbows propped on the desk/table. OR I will lie my head down on my arms, which are folded on the table/desk.
Is this a bad thing to do during an asthma attack? Does anyone else do this when they're trying to focus on breathing due to lack of strength?
the very first thing asthmatics do to control their breathing during an attack is to cave forward.
we lean forward, we bend forward, we rest forward on something.
this allows for short shallow breaths that aren't as difficult to control.
but what we REALLY need to do is get that air all the way down to the bottom of our lungs. otherwise our lungs will be "unused" and therefore very prone to infection plus other serious complications.
instead, put your hands on your head and breath as best you can. panting is fine so long as you are also taking enormous breaths on and off to keep the lungs open. they can snap shut from ignorance and it hurts like hell to re open them again. you do it with forcing air in through intense breathing. i had to do it once and was screaming in pain with tears everywhere. it HURTS. so make sure you breath deep and keep your lungs able to work.
but in an attack you do whatever you need to do to control and calm yourself.
hands on head, light pacing, panting and breathing. counting. being calm. relaxing.
failing putting hands on head, sit on the floor with your back against the wall. it's straight, and it's accessible if things go bad. and breathe as best you can.
if possible, sit at the bottom of a shower and have hot water running. breathe the steam. it helps a lot of asthmatics.
focusing on breathing is terrifying for asthmatics having an attack. it puts pressure on getting control of breathing and that pressure results in not feeling calm. feeling calm is ESSENTIAL to controling the attack.
instead of thinking about breathing, i count. and i count and i count. i just keep counting in my head and i only go to 100, and then i start again. it calms me and i don't even think about breathing really.
Sit straight up in your chair or bed - and then lean over a side table, when you are having an asthma attack.
Anything that makes you feel better is ok, but do not lay down flat or go to sleep. Take your medicine.
You have to keep the whole upper part of your body up during an asthma attack, best for this is yoga seat or simply sitting with your upper body straight.This will help you breathe better.
some postures will cause your airway to close up..