Asthma

Today is World Asthma Day and next week is Asthma Awareness Week so with all this focus on asthma, now would seem as good a time as any to raise the awareness of a condition that affects about one in twelve people. That equates to roughly 5.4 million people across the UK and about 1,000 people in the City of Wells. Now would be a good time to learn how to treat someone who is suffering an attack.

The vast majority of people mange their asthma fine although it can have a big impact on their lives and sadly it does result in the death of three people each day in the UK. Three deaths may seem small considering the number of people with asthma, and compared to the number of deaths caused by other things like road accidents, but it is three deaths that are potentially preventable. Learning how to treat someone having an asthma attack could be the difference between a life lost and a life saved.

Asthma is a medical condition in which the air passages in the lungs produce a build up of mucus and go into spasm which can obstruct the airway and disrupt breathing. There are a number of factors that can cause this – air pollution including smoking, pollens, exercise and particular types of food are the most common. The condition can be recognised by the patient having difficulty breathing, if they're wheezing or struggling to speak. As it gets worse they may not get sufficient oxygen into their system so their peripheries such as lips, ear lobes and finger nails could turn a grey-blue colour.

Most people with asthma are aware of it and know how to control it, but there are times when it becomes worse than normal and causes distress. In this case reassurance is the main defence, so try to calm the patient down and help them to manage their breathing by encouraging them to take slow breaths. If they have a 'reliever' (usually blue) inhaler, advise them to take it. If they have a spacer device then this should be used. The spacer helps get more of the medication into the lungs to have a greater effect, particularly if they are struggling to take deep breaths.

Sit the patient down in a comfortable position but do not lie them down, as this could make it more difficult to take deep breaths. If the attack is mild then it should ease in a few minutes. If it does not ease then get them to take another dose from their inhaler.

If the attack is persistent call 999. This is if the inhaler is not having an effect or if the patient's condition worsens and breathing becomes more difficult.

Should the patient lose consciousness then check their airway, check their breathing and be prepared to perform cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Otherwise monitor the vital signs as you are able to do, take their pulse and check their breathing – rate and strength for both.

For further information on treating asthma, or any other condition, please look at the St John Ambulance web site.