Brief overview: Asthma attack
- What to do in case of an asthma attack? First aid: Calm the patient and place him in a position where he can breathe easily (usually with the upper body slightly bent forward). Possibly encourage the affected person to perform certain breathing techniques, give asthma medication or assist the patient in using the medication.
- Asthma attack symptoms: acute shortness of breath, cough, feeling of tightness in the chest, anxiety and restlessness, rapid heartbeat, in severe cases oxygen deficiency (recognizable, for example, by bluish discolored lips).
- When to see a doctor? In severe asthma attacks, because life-threatening complications can occur.
Attention.
- If the patient carries his own asthma spray and needs your help to take it: Give only one stroke from the inhaler at a time, wait a few minutes before the next.
- Asthma attacks can recur at any time even after a (longer) symptom-free period.
Asthma attack: What to do?
In the event of an asthma attack, you should provide first aid quickly to ensure the oxygen supply to the affected person. This is what you should do:
- Calm: Anxiety can increase shortness of breath. Therefore, be sure to reassure the patient.
- Windows and clothing: Although it often has only a psychological effect, open a window to signal a better air supply. In addition, loosen constricting clothing.
- Breathing techniques: Often, asthmatics have learned certain breathing techniques to help them breathe more effectively when they are short of breath, such as the lip brake (placing the lips loosely together when exhaling so that the air escapes with a slight sound). This way, the patient should exhale slower and longer. Try to get him to use learned breathing techniques despite anxiety.
- Medication: If necessary, help the patient use his emergency medications (e.g., inhalation spray).
- Ambulance service: In the event of a severe asthma attack (normal speech no longer possible, shallow breathing, blue coloration of lips and fingernails, etc.), you should call the ambulance service as quickly as possible!
Asthma attack: symptoms and risks
As threatening as symptoms such as difficult breathing and chest tightness may feel, an acute asthma attack usually subsides on its own. However, it can also worsen and take on dangerous proportions with symptoms such as:
- severe shortness of breath
- rapid but shallow breathing
- racing heart
- bluish discoloration of the lips and fingernails
- restlessness
- inability to say longer sentences
- disturbances of consciousness such as confusion or even unconsciousness
If you experience such signs of a severe asthma attack, you must call emergency services immediately!
A life-threatening complication is status asthmaticus. This is a very severe asthma attack that cannot be stopped despite the use of the usual medications (such as cortisone, beta-2 sympathomimetics) and lasts for more than 24 hours. Gas exchange in the lungs may then fail, eventually leading to loss of consciousness and respiratory failure.
Asthma attack: When to see a doctor?
Asthma attack: treatment by the doctor
The doctor (emergency physician) will administer necessary asthma medications to the patient – active substances such as those used by the patient himself as emergency medications. These include, for example, beta sympathomimetics for inhalation or as an infusion. They relax and widen the airways.
Also important is “cortisone,” which is administered as a tablet or injection. It inhibits the inflammatory reaction in the bronchial tubes.
If necessary, the patient also receives oxygen via a nasal tube.
In the event of a very severe asthma attack, patients must be treated immediately in the intensive care unit.
Preventing an asthma attack
There are things you can do to reduce your risk of having an asthma attack:
- Avoid triggers: If possible, you should avoid known triggers for an asthma attack, such as cold air, house dust, stress, certain foods.
- Exercise: Regular exercise at an appropriate intensity can reduce the frequency and severity of asthma attacks. Endurance sports such as swimming are best suited. Do not overexert yourself when exercising and start with light workouts at first. Do not exercise in very cold or very dry air, outdoors when ozone or pollen levels are elevated, or without warming up. Always take your emergency medications with you when you exercise.
It also makes sense to participate in a special training program (disease management program, DMP) for asthmatics. There you will learn important things about asthma and get tips on how to better manage the chronic disease. For example, you can learn breathing techniques to help you breathe easier during an asthma attack.
