Learning how to avoid the things that bring on your asthma symptoms is an important part of living with the condition.
Regular visits to your doctor and using your medication as prescribed will help you get better control of your condition.
The majority of people will recognise warning signs before an attack, including having to use your inhaler more often, decreased peak flow meter readings and waking during the night due to asthma symptoms.
Ignoring these warning signs can increase your risk of having a severe attack.
But with more than 80,000 people being taken to hospital with an asthma emergency in 2006 to 2007, it is clear not all sufferers of the condition have things under control.
Can you tell when you are having an asthma attack? Knowing what signs to look for could make the difference between relieving your symptoms quickly and needing urgent medical attention.
You are having an asthma attack if your reliever inhaler isn’t easing your symptoms, the effect of your reliever inhaler wears off quickly, your symptoms get worse or you are too breathless to speak, eat or sleep.
If you are experiencing symptoms that lead you to believe you are having an asthma attack you should take your reliever inhaler and breathe deeply, avoid rapid breathing and sit down and loosen tight clothes.
If you don’t feel your symptoms are improving after about five minutes you should call an ambulance or see your doctor immediately. While you wait for help you should continue to use your inhaler.
Having family and friends around you who know what to do in an emergency is vital.
If a friend or loved one is having an attack make sure you help them sit comfortably, keep them calm by talking to them, help them use take their medication and call for help if their symptoms show no sign of easing.
If you do suffer an asthma attack, or you feel you need to use your reliever inhaler more often, it is important you see your doctor as your medication may need to be reviewed.
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