First aid during an asthma attack

Acute exacerbation of asthma or an asthma attack is a sudden onset of symptoms that worsen quickly. You may more often refer to this condition as "recurring asthma." This condition can lead to dangerous and life-threatening complications. First aid can help prevent asthma from getting worse.

That is why it is important to know what triggers an asthma attack, as well as the symptoms in order to provide proper help to overcome this condition.

Causes of asthma attacks (acute exacerbations)

Before understanding the first aid steps when it comes to asthma, it is important for you to understand what acute exacerbation of asthma is.

Acute exacerbation of asthma is the appearance of symptoms that worsen suddenly over a relatively short period of time. That is why, this condition is also known as an asthma attack. Until now, it is not certain what causes asthma to appear or recur.

However, quoted from the Mayo Clinic, what happens during an asthma attack is that the airway muscles suddenly tighten. Not only that, the airways become inflamed and swollen when exposed to trigger factors.

Each person may have different trigger factors. Especially if you have an immune system that is sensitive enough when exposed to asthma attack triggers. Some of the most common include:

• Pollen from flowers, trees and grass.
• Animal fur and cockroaches.
• Cigarette smoke, vehicle fumes, and burning garbage, and air pollution.
• Being in a cool place.
• Gastric acid rises due to GERD disease.
• Unstable psychological or mental health conditions due to severe stress.
• Doing sports or strenuous physical activity.
• Dust and mold flying in the air and then inhaled.
• Are experiencing upper respiratory tract infections, such as flu, sinusitis, chronic rhinitis, and bronchitis.
• Painkillers such as aspirin and ibuprofen, to beta blocker drugs for heart disease.
• Certain workplaces where workers are exposed to air pollution and chemicals on a daily basis.

Since there are so many triggers for an asthma attack, the best way to determine the exact cause is to consult a doctor. So, don't just guess on one of the factors already mentioned above.

The most common symptom of an asthma attack

In ordinary asthma sufferers, symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing are very common. However, the severity varies, from mild to severe.

When there is an acute asthma attack, the symptoms mentioned above only occur for a relatively short period of time, but are of quite serious severity. That is why being alert to provide first aid to yourself or others who have asthma is so crucial.

In addition, the condition of an acute asthma attack also has several additional symptoms, such as:

• Numbers peak flow meter which is low or decreasing.
• The body is very weak, lethargic, and weak during or after exercise.
• Neck and chest muscles tighten or feel tight (retraction).
• Mood swings, resulting in more silence or irritability.
• Cold or allergy-like symptoms appear, such as a runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat, and headaches.
• Dark eye bags appear.
• It's hard to sleep at night.
• Feeling thirsty all the time.
• Itchy or watery eyes.
• Clearse frequently.

These symptoms are the ones most frequently reported by patients. There may be other signs that have not been stated. In addition, it is important to know that the frequency, duration, and severity of asthma attacks can vary from person to person.

You may experience attacks after a long period of non-recurrence and the attacks tend to appear more frequently than before. While some other people can experience attacks only at night, when exposed to cold air, or every time they exercise.

Another thing to watch out for; Asthma attacks can suddenly get worse and become debilitating. Therefore, if you recognize the symptoms from the start, do not hesitate to immediately initiate treatment. Whether it's taking asthma medication or seeing a doctor directly.

Symptoms of an asthma attack that must be brought to the ER

This condition is many times more debilitating. In fact, it can make it difficult for sufferers to do activities as usual.

Here are some characteristics of attacks in asthma sufferers who need to get first aid as soon as possible:

• Shortness of breath that makes it difficult to eat and speak.
• The skin between the ribs and neck appears to be pulled inward when you try to take a breath.
• The face color turns red or even pale
• Lips and nails turn a whitish or bluish color.
• The heart was beating very fast.
• Breath getting faster or faster.
• Sweating profusely while trying to breathe.
• It was difficult or even impossible to walk at all.
• Full of panic and anxiety.
• Loss of consciousness.

If you or someone else has a severe asthma attack like the ones mentioned above, seek medical attention immediately. You can call an ambulance (119) or go directly to the emergency room of the nearest hospital in the area.

First aid in the event of an asthma attack

Acute exacerbation of asthma can appear anytime and anywhere. That is why, if you or people around you suddenly show symptoms of asthma, it is very important to know first aid measures for asthma sufferers.

The following is a guide to first aid when an asthma attack recurs.

1. Stop activity

A form of first aid that occurs when an asthma attack appears suddenly during activity is to immediately stop to calm down.

Shortness of breath suddenly makes you panic. However, try to divert your thoughts. The panic will actually make it even more difficult for you to breathe freely.

2. Stay away from crowded places

If an asthma attack occurs when you are in a crowd, the first aid you can do is find a quiet place to calm down.

Forcing yourself to be in a crowded place will only make you more panicked and stressed. This can exacerbate the attacks you are feeling.

If possible, find a flat place to sit and then loosen your pants or skirt and unbutton the shirt.

3. Breathe slowly

Asthma symptoms are often debilitating because they make your breath feel shallower, faster, and more unstable.

Therefore, after successfully calming yourself down, the first aid you can do when an asthma attack comes is to try to catch your breath slowly.

Relax your shoulder and neck muscles. Then, take a breath from your nose and hold it for a few seconds. After that purse your lips and exhale slowly through your mouth.

Repeat this many times until your breath becomes more regular.

4. Immediately use emergency medicine

Asthma attacks can happen anytime, anywhere. Therefore, you should always be ready to bring emergency medicine for first aid to deal with an asthma attack.

After sitting down and calming down, immediately use medication or breathing aids such as the asthma inhaler that you brought with you. Don't forget to shake the inhaler tube several times so that the medicine is evenly mixed.

Spray once into your mouth and then take four deep breaths. Allow at least 1 minute between puffs when you think you need to use more than one puff.

If done correctly, this method is effective at making your breath deeper and preventing asthma from getting worse.

5. Avoid asthma triggers

Asthma attacks can appear suddenly if you are exposed to asthma triggers, such as dust, animal dander, cigarette smoke, perfume, or chemicals contained in cosmetic products.

If indeed you are sensitive to these things, you should far away the trigger right away. If the trigger for your asthma is cigarette smoke, then stay away from people who smoke.

Immediately get fresh air so that the smoke is not more inhaled. If you are allergic or sensitive to air or dust, you can enter a room that is free of them.

If this remedy is not done immediately, the asthma attack can get worse.

6. Ask for help

If all the ways to deal with an asthma attack above do not relieve symptoms, you should immediately seek help from people around you.

Ask people around you to call health workers and an ambulance so that your asthma is quickly treated.

How to prevent recurrence of asthma

Not only, first aid, it is also important for you to know how to prevent asthma from recurring. After all, prevention is better than cure.

The best way to prevent asthma attacks from occurring is to make sure your asthma is well controlled from the start. This means following an asthma action plan or action plan for asthma. The asthma action plan itself is a written instruction prepared with your doctor to monitor your symptoms and determine the best asthma treatment for your condition.

Usually in an asthma action plan there is a telephone number to call, asthma triggers, asthma signs and symptoms, and the necessary medications.

Asthma attacks can recur at any time. So make sure you always carry this special note sheet along with your asthma medication wherever you go. Place them in a clear and transparent container so they can be found easily whenever you need them.