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Asthma & more ::
Treatment
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Emergency asthma attack treatment...what you can do to help someone
And these situations are not rare at all. You might be at a restaurant having lunch with a few friends and one of them suddenly gasps for breath and seems to panic. The problem is even worse if it involves small children; they just can't grasp what's happening to them. Asthma emergency treatment know-how can be a definite help in these situations. Here are several things you need to be aware of. * Remember that when someone is having an attack, they'll almost always find it easier to breathe while sitting up than lying down. So don't make the mistake of getting them to lie down -- settle them into a sitting position and make them as comfortable as possible. * In most cases, the patient already knows exactly what needs to be done to help her, because this is probably not the first attack she's facing. If she is in a position to talk (and she may not be), just ask her what you should do. She may well be carrying an inhaler, so ask if she has one and where it is kept. Also ask if she wants you to call for help. Many patients carry written instruction cards with an asthma attack treatment plan. If she can't talk, look for such a card. Follow the instructions. * Here's the single most important asthma treatment protocol -- help her use the inhaler. There is nothing you can do that will have the same effectiveness as getting the patient to use an inhaler. What is an inhaler? Basically, it's a device designed to deliver specific doses of medication. Medication that relaxes the patient's air passages thus bringing breathing back to normal. In fact, an inhaler is so critically important that doctors say if the patient doesn't have one with her, use someone else's to reduce the breathing problem. How do you use an inhaler? Get the patient to take two to four puffs immediately (unless she tells you something else, or her instruction card does). Then wait for around five minutes before giving the next dose. Hold the mouthpiece of the inhaler between her lips. Tell him before you give a puff so that she can inhale at the same time. After giving one puff, wait a few seconds before you give another one. Wait till you think she is ready for another puff or she indicates that she is. Using a spacer can allow her to breathe in the medication over several breaths, instead of in just one breath. A spacer positioned between the inhaler and the patient's mouth can hold in the medicine between breaths. You can improvise a simple spacer by rolling up paper and creating a short tube. * After giving medication, continue to observe the patient closely for a few minutes. Is there a distinct improvement in her condition, is she getting any relief? Is her breathing easier than before? * If you think the medication is not having an effect on her within say 10 minutes, it is best to get help. Call an ambulance. In the meanwhile, continue to give her medication -- around four puffs every five minutes. Even if it appears that the medication is not helping, it can prevent her attack from getting worse. * As the person taking care of the patient, your demeanor counts. If you panic, it can actually make her attack worse, because she will feel it is out of control and respond accordingly. So stay calm and talk to her in a calm manner. This is critical. Keep these asthma attack treatment essentials in mind. You will be far better prepared to deal with emergency situations and possibly even save a life by bringing an attack under control.
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