What Is Asthma?
Asthma is a condition that affects the airways – the small tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs.
When a person with asthma comes into contact with something that irritates their airways (an asthma trigger), the muscles around the walls of the airways tighten so that the airways become narrower and the lining of the airways becomes inflamed and starts to swell. Sometimes sticky mucus or phlegm builds up which can further narrow the airways.
Some of the Signs and Symptoms may be:
- Coughing
- Wheezing
- Shortness of Breath
- Tightness in the Chest
- Distressed
How to Help
- Calm the patient and continue to reassure them.
- Ensure they take their ‘reliever’ medication, usually a blue inhaler, immediately.
- The patient should sit down and ensure that any tight clothing is loosened. Do not lie the patient down!!
- If the asthma attack does not subside or if the patient cannot get out more than two words without a rest, CALL 111.
- Continue to reassure them.
This information is for reference only and comprehensive life saving skills can only be gained by attending a first aid chch first aid course.