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STEPS TO HANDLE AN EMERGENCY ASTHMA ATTACK


What Do I Do If I Have An Asthma Attack?

If you or a loved one is having an asthma attack and the symptoms don’t get better quickly after following the asthma action plan, follow the "red zone" or emergency instructions and contact your doctor right away. You need urgent medical attention.

1. Give asthma first aid.

If the person doesn't have an asthma plan:

Sit them upright comfortably and loosen tight clothing.

  • If the person has asthma medication, such as an inhaler, help them take it.
  • If the person doesn’t have an inhaler, use one from a first aid kit. Do not borrow someone else’s. The medicine in it may be different than the needed rescue medicine. Also, using someone else's inhaler has a slight risk of passing on an infection.

2. Use an inhaler with a spacer, if possible.

  • Remove the cap and shake the inhaler well.
  • Insert the inhaler into the spacer.
  • Have the person breathe out completely and put their mouth tightly around the spacer mouthpiece.
  • Press the inhaler once to deliver a puff.
  • Have the person breathe in slowly through their mouth and hold their breath for 10 seconds.
  • Give a total of four puffs, waiting about a minute between each puffs.

  • 3. Use an inhaler without a spacer, if necessary.
  • Remove the inhaler cap and shake well.
  • Have the person breathe out all the way and seal their lips tightly around the inhaler mouthpiece.
  • As the person starts to breathe in slowly, press down on the inhaler one time.
  • The person should keep breathing in as slowly and deeply as possible (about 5 to 7 seconds) and then hold their breath for 10 seconds.
  • Give a total of four puffs, waiting about 1 minute between each puff.
  • After four puffs, wait 4 minutes. If the person still has trouble breathing, give another set of four puffs.
  • If there’s still little or no improvement, give four to eight puffs every 20 minutes until the ambulance arrives, for up to 4 hours. If you are still waiting for help after 4 hours, the recommended dose is four to eight puffs as needed every 1 to 4 hours.
  • Do not mistake drowsiness as a sign of improvement; it could mean asthma is getting worse.
  • Do not assume that the person’s asthma is improving if you no longer hear wheezing.

6. Follow up.

  • An emergency room doctor will check the severity of the attack and give treatment, including medications.
  • The person may be sent home or stay in the hospital for further care, depending on their response to treatment.

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