Asthma Attack

During an asthma attack the muscles surrounding the air passages in the lungs go into spasm, their lining swells and excessive mucus is produced. These changes combine to narrow the airways, making breathing difficult.

People with asthma should always carry prescribed medication to relieve an attack at the first warning. Medication is usually in the form of a metereddose bronchodilator aerosol ('puffer'). The delivery of aerosol medications during an attack (especially for children) is easier and more effective with a spacer device.

Signs and symptoms

• difficult or noisy breathing
• rapid, shallow breaths
• paleness, sweating
• difficulty in talking and moving
• wheezing with each breath
• distress and fright evident in the sufferer
• blueness of lips and confusion (these indicate a very severe attack)

Warning

The seriousness of an attack may be difficult to assess, so prompt action should always be taken. Sometimes an asthma attack is sudden and severe. Occasionally it is life-threatening, and first aid may be urgently needed. Note that wheezy breathing does not occur in all asthma attacks.

First aid treatment

1. Help the affected person to sit in a quoiet, warm place, away from other people and with arms resting on a table.
2. Have the person take 4 puffs from the prescribed bronchodilator puffer, one after another (through a spacer if available).
3. Wait 4 minutes, then if there is no improvement give 4 more puffs, and contact a doctor about the person's condition.
4. If there is still no improvement or if the person's condition deteriorates suddenly, call an ambulance immediately. If improvement is evident, the person should rest until fully recovered.
5. While waiting for an ambulance to arrive, continue to administer the puffer as in steps 2 to 3. Bronchodilator puffers used in this way are safe: an overdose is unlikely because of the narrowed airways.