Asthma attack
Welcome to Astma Behandeling, the vast online asthma information
resource from 3MPharma Nederland B.V.! Asthma is a long-term, often
progressive, disease that makes breathing difficult and can be life
threatening if not managed with the proper asthma medication and
treatment. We equip you with extensive information about asthma, from
treatment guidelines, facts and figures to asthma drugs and
inhaler
technologies.
Whether you are an asthma patient, a concerned parent of an affected child or a
practitioner, Astma Behandeling contains extremely useful asthma
information for everyone.
What triggers an asthma attack
Asthma is a serious, very complex disease of the lung airways that
affects over 155 million people of all ages world-wide. Breathing is made
difficult by reversible bronchospasm - a narrowing or constriction of the
airways - as well as excessive thick mucus production, oedema and
bronchial hyper reactivity (sensitive airways). People who have an asthma
attack suffer from coughing, wheezing, dyspnoea (breathlessness) and chest
tightness. Some inflammation of the airways is always present, even when
the symptoms are absent. The disease is usually triggered by exposure to
allergens, industrial and chemical irritants, extreme exercise, emotional
stress and respiratory infections.
How to control an asthma attack
Although a very serious disease, Asthma can be effectively controlled
with the right treatment guidelines and asthma medications. Astma
Behandeling provides you with extensive asthma information that helps you
to handle the disease and live your life to the full despite being
affected by asthma. Our web site functions as a vast asthma treatment and
medication resource that also covers asthma drugs and inhaler
technologies.
About asthma attacks
Sometimes, no matter how careful you are in making sure that your
child takes their asthma treatment and avoids their triggers, you may
find that they have an asthma attack. Asthma attacks are the result of
a gradual worsening of symptoms over a few days. If your child's
asthma symptoms are getting worse don't ignore them!
Your child is having an asthma attack if any of the following
happen:
• Your child's reliever (blue) inhaler does not help their symptoms
• Your child's symptoms (cough, breathless, wheeze or tight chest) are
getting worse • Your child is too breathless to speak, eat or sleep
What to do in an asthma attack
1. Give your child their usual reliever inhaler straight away,
preferably using a spacer
2. Keep calm and try to relax your child as much as possible sit
your child down, don't lie them down rest your child's hands on their
knees for support try to slow your child's breathing down as this will
make them less exhausted
3. Wait 5-10 minutes
4. If the symptoms disappear, your child should be able to go back
to whatever they were doing
5. If the reliever has no effect, call the doctor or ambulance
6. Continue to give your child their reliever inhaler
every few minutes until help arrives preferably using a spacer. It is
not possible to overdose on reliever.
Do not be afraid of causing a fuss, even at night.
If your child is admitted to hospital or an Accident & Emergency
department, because of their asthma, take details of their treatment
with you. You should also make an appointment with your doctor or
practice nurse after your child is discharged from hospital so that
you can review your child's treatment to avoid the situation arising
again.
What Exactly is an Asthma Attack?
Also described as asthma "flares" or "episodes," asthma attacks refer
to any period when an asthmatic suffers a noticeable shortness of breath
that requires some form of treatment or medical intervention to restore
normal breathing.
Onset: The onlooker will notice a distinct shortness of breath and
wheezing, particularly while exhaling.
The next stage: Wheezing increases markedly and becomes apparent
during both inhaling and exhaling.
