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Asthma is a chronic
respiratory condition.
The inside walls of the
airways are inflamed
(swollen) and the
inflammation makes the
airways very sensitive.
One with asthma may
react to things that he
is allergic to or find
irritating. When
the airways react to an
allergen, for example,
they get narrower and
become harder for the
air to pass through.
This causes symptoms
like wheezing, coughing,
and breathlessness.
In a severe attack,
which is fatal, the
airways can close so
much that not enough
oxygen gets to the vital
organs.
Although asthma attacks
can be triggered off by
infection, allergy and
emotion, in many cases
there is no obvious
cause. Asthma
cannot be cured but it
can be managed with both
drug therapy and by
avoiding triggers.
Most people with asthma
can control the symptoms
and still live normal
and active lives.
The condition is treated
with two kinds of
medicines: quick-relief
medicines to stop asthma
symptoms and long-term
control medicines to
prevent symptoms.
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Symptoms of an Asthma Attack |
The severity and
frequency of asthma
symptoms differ between
individuals. The
following identify the
common signs and
symptoms of an attack:
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Most asthmatics will
sit upright, often
grasping the arms of
a chair, to help
them breathe.
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The person may be
very anxious and
find it difficult to
speak.
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Chest tightness
which can feel like
something is
squeezing or sitting
on the chest.
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Wheezing (a
whistling sound
while breathing).
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Coughing, with or
without thick
sputum. Coughing is
usually worse at
night or early in
the morning.
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Difficulty in
breathing,
especially breathing
out.
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In severe attacks:
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Confusion and
irritability caused
by lack of oxygen.
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Blue lips and pale
clammy skin.
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Causes of Asthma Symptoms and Attacks |
Asthma attacks may be
brought on by various
factors that differ
between individual:
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Allergy to substance
such as animal fur,
feathers, dust,
pollens, plants,
shellfish, eggs and
chocolate.
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Emotional stress and
anxiety.
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Infections, such as
colds or chest
infections.
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Change in
environment, example
cold weather.
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Medicines such as
aspirin and
penicillin.
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Dealing with an Asthma At tack |
In the event of an
attack:
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Try to keep the
person calm.
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Sit him upright. Assist him into the
position he finds most comfortable, as long as
it is sitting up. Ideally, make him lean
forward with both arms resting on a table.
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Ensure a good supply
of fresh air, such
as by keeping
windows opened.
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Loosen any tight
clothing, especially
around the neck.
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Encourage him to
breathe in and out
using his diaphragm.
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If he has an inhaler
to be used during
attacks, help him to
use it effectively.
If possible, attach
the inhaler to a
spacer device to
help the lungs take
up the vapour even
more effectively.
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If the breathing
does not return to
normal, seek medical
attention.
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Identify and avoid what usually trigger the
attack. You can determine the triggers by
just paying attention to situations when the
asthma gets worse. Do what you can to
avoid or limit contact with these things.
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Take all medications
as prescribed to
keep asthma under
control.
Inform your doctor
if the person is
taking other
medications, in case
one of them affects
his asthma.
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Continue the
medications even
though the person
feels well. This is
because asthma is a
chronic disease,
which means it is
with him all the
time, even when he
does not feel the
symptoms.
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It is best to serve
the last dose of
asthma medicines at
bedtime as attacks
often occur at
night.
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If the person
medicines include Theophylline,
discourage him from drinking
large quantities of
beverages containing
caffeine (examples
coffee, tea and cola
drink) which may
cause more
restlessness.
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Use inhaler as
instructed. If
the inhaler is not
used correctly, less
medication will get
into the airways.
Ideally, attach the
inhaler to a spacer
so that the vapour
reaches the lungs
more effectively.
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Rinse the mouth with
water after each
dose of inhalation
to prevent dryness
of the mouth and
throat.
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Advise the person
to always carry with
him the inhaler in
case of an attack.
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Discourage smoking
as it makes asthma
worse. If someone at home
smokes, please
reinforce the
harmful effects.
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Encourage correct
breathing, from the
diaphragm. Ask
the person to
breathe in to the
count of four, and
then out to the
count of four; the
breathing should be
done gently through
the nose.
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Monitor the person
condition by the use
of a peak-flow meter
which measures the
maximum volume of
air he can breathe
out per minute.
If the peak-flow
measurements drop,
it indicates
worsening asthma and
possible attack even
before the person feels the symptoms.
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Encourage the person
with normal
activities such as
swimming and
jogging.
Regular exercises
help improve lungs
and heart function.
If exercise brings
on asthma symptoms,
discuss with your
doctor the best ways
to control it when
the person is
active.
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Get regular checkups
from your doctor.
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Your doctor can advise
you on the best ways to
control asthma attack
during exercise.
Some pointers are as follows:
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Make sure the
person have good
asthma control
before exercising.
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Warm up slowly
before exercising
and allow cool down
afterward.
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Keep
the rescue
medication, inhaler,
close by.
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Follow the asthma
action plan; take
the inhaler
medication before or
during exercise.
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Slowly exercise for
longer and longer,
to get in better
shape.
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If the asthma is not
under control, seek
medical attention
immediately. Your doctor
may need to review the
medicines or conduct
other investigations.
The following are some
signs that the asthma is
getting worse:
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Asthma symptoms
occur more often
than usual.
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The symptoms are
worse than they used
to be.
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The medicines seem
to be less effective
then before.
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More frequent use of
short-acting
quick-relief, or
'rescue,' inhaler.
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The peak-flow
reading is low or
varies a lot from
day to day.
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How to Use an Asthma Inhaler |
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Hold the inhaler
with the top of the
canister up and
shake it a few times
to mix the contents
of the inhaler.
Remove the cover.
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Breathe out deeply
so that more
medicine that can be
inhaled into the
lungs. Place
the mouthpiece above
the tongue and well
into the mouth and
grip it with your
teeth.
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Press the top of the
canister down while
inhaling deeply.
It is essential to
‘fire’ the aerosol
as soon as you start
breathing in so that
your breath carries
the particles of the
drug as far down
into the lungs as
possible.
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Hold the breath for
5 to 10 seconds to
allow the medicine
to settle in the
lungs. This
action delivers the
measured dose of
drug.
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Release pressure on
the canister, remove
the inhaler from the
mouth and breathe
out slowly.
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Wait for at least 1
minute between puffs
if your doctor has
advised you to take
2 or more puffs per
treatment.
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Clean the
mouthpiece.
Replace the cover.
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