Asthma can be more detrimental to a person’s wellbeing than you might think. According to Asthma UK, the respiratory condition kills three people every day, and someone is admitted to hospital with a potentially fatal asthma attack every seven minutes in this country. However, asthma doesn’t have to be a death sentence, because asthma attacks and hospital admissions can be prevented by spotting and treating early warning signs.
According to Neil Churchill, chief executive of Asthma UK, ‘Despite the fact that over 5.4 million people in the UK have asthma there is still a lack of understanding of the condition, even amongst those who have it themselves.’ This is why Asthma UK are encouraging people with asthma to take The Triple A Test.
Churchill explains, ‘If someone with asthma has never really fully understood their condition or discussed their symptoms in detail with their GP or asthma nurse they may not be aware of what increases their risk of having an asthma attack. This is why the Triple A Test is so important,’ as it can improve asthmatic wellness by helping sufferers to find out their risk of having an attack and advise them what they can do to reduce it.
But what should you do when someone near you begins to have an asthma attack? Firstly, ask if they have their reliever inhaler and where it is. This is usually blue, and you may need to get it out of their bag for them. Next, encourage them to take a few puffs, and make sure they are sitting up. Fourthly, encourage the person to take calm, steady breaths, and then calm and reassure them.
After two minutes, if they are still not feeling better, they can take two puffs of their reliever again and continue to do so every two minutes (up to a maximum of 10 puffs). If they are feeling better after this, they can carry on with their day, but you should remind them to see a doctor as soon as possible. However, if they aren’t better, you should call an ambulance. If it doesn’t arrive after 10 minutes, the person with asthma can start to take puffs on their reliever again for every two minutes until help comes.
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