Asthma attacks???!
Question: Just wondering if anyone knows what is best to do if somebody is having an asthma attack. Obviously use inhaler and if it doesn't subside call an ambulance, but anyone have any tips to make them more comfortable. (What to do - what not to do)
Just thought i better know all i can cos a couple of my friends have asthma.
Answers: Just wondering if anyone knows what is best to do if somebody is having an asthma attack. Obviously use inhaler and if it doesn't subside call an ambulance, but anyone have any tips to make them more comfortable. (What to do - what not to do)
Just thought i better know all i can cos a couple of my friends have asthma.
From my personal experience sitting up leaning forward is best and just sit beside them. Talking is fine - but don't expect answers as it is hard to talk when short of breath. being calm yourself is also a good thing - your calmness will rub off onto your friends.
Get rid of unwanted bystanders - all they do is make you feel like the freak at a freak show - which dosne't really help the stress situation.
Back to the lying vs sitting thing. Sitting up for me was always easier to breath. Fixating the arms allowed me to use my shoulders to help breath as the normal muscles just wouldn't cope with the extra stress. If you lie down you lose this abilty. Also basic first aid - protect the airway - if the airway is ever comprimised you put them in the recovery position - this is on the side - and not on your back where the tounge can limit your airway - not ideal in a situation where the airway is already compromised.
Other things - get in a nice quiet environment - avoid dramatic chages in air temp - the easiest air to breath is warm moist air - like steam from a bathroom. Avoid going out into the chill night air as this will constrict the airways further. Also get out of smokey environments or areas with air pollution - this includes natural as well as man made - i.e. flower pollens etc.
Hope some of that is helpful. Also talk to your friends - if they have been asthamtics for a while they will know what is comfortable for them and what is not. And good work on you for finding out now - before you need ot use it. You sound like your a pretty good friend to have around.
Use a paper bag to breath in and out of - though obviously you have to have one on you. x
make them sit down or lie down get them a drink
With Asthma, it's important to keep the person calm.
It's the breathing out that's harder than the breathing in when someone has an attack so gently (I mean gently) pressing on the chest to help the person expel the air is good.
Both I and my daughter, carry an "Eppi" pen, it contains epinephrine, there's usually two doses in the package. One is used. The instructions are on the pen and very simple, open the top and plunge the needle into the thigh, right through the clothes if necessary, wait ten seconds and then call the ambulance. Let them know you've used an "Eppi" Pen.
Other then this, if it's from smoke. my daughter was inhaling the smoke from a barbecue without knowing it, she passed out and stopped breathing. Her boyfriend socked her in the chest, it shocked her into breathing and then he made her comfortable.
She was seconds from dying. I have chocked until I couldn't see. Don't ask a bunch of questions, just act, loosen the clothing, remove from area if necessary, call an ambulance and tell them what's going on.
Have them sitting on a high hard chair facing the back and resting their arms on the top of the chair back. This "opens" the lungs and can ease breathing. Reassure them and keep them calm. If they have a "spacer" encourage them to use it, as this allows the medication to get deeper into the lungs and can be used for several short wheezy breaths instead of the one breath that the standard inhaler is designed for. If things do not improve then call an ambulance. You are a good friend and commend you for wanting to know how to help your mates.
don't panic, sit with them, use of inhaler if handy and as you have just said
a caffeinated drink will help it is a mild natural bronchodialator. The best thing you can do is to try to help them stay calm...believe it or not lamaze or yoga type breathing exercises will help.
As for lying down or sitting up? whichever they prefer. Sometimes lying flat makes me feel like I am suffocating...sometimes I need to walk around...sometimes I have to sit...