How do you help someone having an asthma attack?

Some asthma attacks are severe and others not. When someone is having an attack and has no inhaler, check whether the person's shoulders are up whilst gasping for air. Make sure neck area is clear of any tight articles, i.e. tie, scarf etc. Have the person sit down.

Keep calm. Do not panic. Keep the one having the attack calm as well. Fan the person with whatever you can use to do so. Let the asthmatic take deep slow breaths until breathing is regular. Gently massage neck and shoulder area if shoulders are up and tight. Should breathing become regular, transport person home where access to an inhaler or nebulizer is at hand.

However, if breathing is short and fast and you cannot get the person to slow down and you see that he/she is gasping for breath, call 911 immediately. Explain the situation and give as much pertinent information as possible: such as age, sex, problem, location etc. The 911 operator will also give a little advice as to what to do and will ask you to stay on the line until help arrives.. Stay with the person until the paramedics arrive if you can. Convey all you know and have done to the paramedics.

Should the asthma attack be at home, family members will know to get the sufferer on nebulized treatment straight away. This treatment should be repeated again after a few minutes should there be no immediate results. This treatment should be repeated every 4 to 6 hours until back to 'normal". Many times little gentle pats on the upper back between shoulder blades will help to have the asthmatic cough.and get rid of excess fluid.

Advice: Asthma sufferers should keep an inhaler in purse and pocket when not at home. A Medic Alert bracelet or necklace would be of great help, since it will contain all necessary details and can speed up help when an attack happens when without an inhaler.

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immediately assist the person/patient in a sitting position, and lean him/her forward to provide maximum lung expansion, then CALL for help or get him to the nearest hospital (a simple asthma attack could lead to status asthmaticus- a fatal complication of asthma that results to the constriction and spasm of the lung's airways). Never give him a paper bag to breath in-this would only aggravate the person's asthma attack. Don't give him/her fluids also-as this may cause aspiration.

the signs and symptoms of asthma are shortness of breath, chest pain, diaphoresis (sweating), wheezing (a high pitch sound when an asthmatic person exhales) and a marked respiratory effort (you can notice this when the person's nose flares and the shoulders and chest are also forcefully rising and expanding). In some cases, the person may become cyanotic (turns blue). This is an emergency case since the constriction of the lung airways results into the deprivation of oxygen of the body.

You cannot tell this for yourself without some study and training. Asthma attacks are typically more of a strong gasping sound without much noise on the exhaling. If you get noise both ways, may not be asthma. Safest way to be sure is a trip to your vet or at least a phone call.

I feel your pain. I've had asthma for 14 years now and have seen several doctors. The truth is, there is no known cure for asthma at the moment. But the symptoms can be prevented. It really depends on what causes your brother's asthma. Mine is usually dust and hot weather. But I think the universal method is using the control inhaler.

I cured my Asthma the natural way?

Drinking something like coffee or with high caffeine content is typically the band aide to get an asthmatic through until they can get to a hospital.

Actually? Coffee. Caffiene is a bronchiodialator. Ok, I spelled that wrong. It makes the lungs open. However, it's still best to find someone to help while you're feeding that to them.

I used to carry vicks because it made my lungs open somewhat

Hot coffee I've heard works well. The steam more than the coffee helps to reduce inflamation of the lungs. I suppose any hot beverage would work.

Hot, strong coffee helps me. Make the person as calm as is possible.

Make them a really strong and I mean really,really strong cup of coffee!