| There have been many victims of acute asthma | | | | blue and lack of consciousness, the condition is very |
| attack and the intensity of these attacks can be | | | | serious demanding immediate medical intervention in |
| frightening. Asthma is a chronic disease that has | | | | order to avoid death. |
| many sufferers around the world. Respiratory | | | | People suffering from asthma may prevent acute |
| impairment occurs due to the fact that the airways | | | | attacks by making sure they take the necessary |
| are inflamed and narrow. There is bronchial | | | | medication to prevent the situation from aggravating. |
| constriction and mucus may also cause further | | | | They can make use of a peak flow meter to |
| discomfort. The body is unable to ventilate the air | | | | monitor their condition. It is required that they get |
| sacs in the lungs which may cause distress. The | | | | their baseline measurement by inhaling and then |
| patients suffer from shortness of breath and may | | | | exhaling into the meter when they are feeling fit. If |
| also have wheezing. A person is said to suffer from | | | | their peak flow measurement is 50%-80% lesser |
| an acute asthma attack when the symptoms flare up | | | | than their baseline peak flow measurement, it may |
| necessitating medical intervention most of the time. | | | | indicate they are at risk of an acute asthma attack if |
| Symptoms Of Acute Asthma Attack | | | | they do not take immediate action. If the peak flow |
| - rapid breathing | | | | reading is lesser than 50% of their normal reading it is |
| - physical exhaustion | | | | time they sought medical intervention as a severe |
| - difficulty in talking | | | | attack can become life threatening in some cases. |
| - wheezing (which is quiet) | | | | It will help if patients carry a card or wear a medical |
| - coughing | | | | alert bracelet that can be useful if medical |
| - marked recession | | | | intervention is needed. The patients need to have |
| - paradoxical pulse where the pulse is strong during | | | | worked out a plan on what has to be done during an |
| expiration and weak during inhalation | | | | attack. The patients may also keep a card with the |
| - constriction and pain in the chest | | | | name of their physician, his number as well as the |
| - turning blue due to lack of oxygen | | | | number of an ambulance, and the relative or friend |
| - lack of consciousness | | | | who has to be contacted. If the inhaled reliever is not |
| - numbness in limbs | | | | working, it is time you sought immediate medical help. |
| - sweating of the palms | | | | Make it a point to inform them that you have an |
| - feet may turn icy | | | | acute asthma attack and are not responding to |
| - peak respiratory flow is less than 50% of the mean | | | | treatment. Till help arrives continue to use the reliever |
| value | | | | taking 6-8 puffs every 5-6 minutes. Make sure to use |
| These patients can avoid acute asthma attack by | | | | a spacer as it will be of great help. The best way to |
| paying attention to the signs and symptoms that | | | | manage asthma and to prevent an acute asthma |
| indicate that their condition is not improving. Many | | | | attack is to monitor the symptoms, take medication |
| people have made the mistake of neglecting to get | | | | promptly and ensure that the condition does not get |
| medical aid as the wheezing and the gulping appears | | | | aggravated. |
| to have got better. If this occurs with lips turning | | | | |