Many Americans suffer from asthma. Those who suffer from it can be stopped from living their day to day lives because it can get so bad. Although for many, asthma is a major issue, there are some who live with it being a minor nuisance.
What Is asthma?
Asthma is normally characterized by having inflammation in your respiratory system.
What are the symptoms of asthma?
- Coughing
- Weezing
- Shortness of breath
- Chest tightness
- Chest Pain or Pressure
- Frequent Colds
- Difficulty Breathing
- Rapid Breathing
What is an Asthma attack?
An asthma attack is when the muscles that are surrounding your airways are tightening due to your asthma being triggered. Mild episodes of asthma attacks only last a few minutes and can be resolved with medication, more severe attacks can last for hours.
How to handle an asthma attack?
Having an asthma attack can be a serious issue. Here are the top six things that you need to do when you or someone around you is having an asthma attack.
Sit Upright
To help stop yourself from having an asthma attack stop whatever you are doing and make sure to sit upright. If you are bending over and laying down it can actually constrict your breathing even more than you realize.
Take Long and Deep Breaths
Another way to help stop yourself from having an asthma attack is to make sure that you take long and deep breaths. This will help to slow down your breathing. When you slow down your breathing it will help to prevent you from going into hyperventilation. The best way to make sure you are breathing correctly is to make sure and breathe out of your mouth and in through your nose.
Stay Calm
This is one of the key factors when you are trying to stop yourself from having an asthma attack. When you stay calm it will help to prevent further muscle spasms. It can also help to relax your tight chest muscle and make your breathing easier.
Get Away from Whatever Is triggering the attack
The asthma attack can be triggered by anything. The most popular allergens are dust, cigarette smoke or the smell of chemicals (e.g., ammonia, chlorine gas, sulfur dioxide). If you are near anything like that move away from the area to help clear out your respiratory system.
Try to drink a hot beverage
This is one of the most unknown types of ways to stop yourself from having an asthma attack. Hot caffeinated drinks can help to open the airways which can give some relief. Although this may only be a temporary relief from the attack. The relief may only last for about one hour or two at most.
Seek emergency medical help
If the attack is continuing it is important to make sure and seek out emergency help. If the symptoms of the attack (ie wheezing, coughing, and difficulty breathing) do not subside (after a period of resting) it is important to make sure and contact emergency help immediately.
