Asthma Attack Response and the Importance of Basic Life Support Training (BLS)

An asthma attack is a sudden worsening of asthma symptoms caused by the tightening of the muscles around your airways (bronchospasm), inflammation, and an increase in mucus production. It can be a frightening experience and requires prompt action. Here are some steps you can take if you or someone you’re with is having an asthma attack:

1. Use a Rescue Inhaler: If you have a prescribed rescue inhaler (usually containing a bronchodilator like albuterol), use it as directed. This medication helps relax the muscles around your airways, allowing them to open up.
2. Sit Upright: Sitting upright can help improve breathing by allowing your lungs to expand fully.
3. Stay Calm: Anxiety and panic can worsen asthma symptoms. Try to stay as calm as possible.
4. Take Slow, Deep Breaths: Try to take slow, deep breaths to help oxygenate your body.
5. Use a Spacer: If you have a spacer or holding chamber for your inhaler, use it. It can help deliver the medication more effectively.
6. Seek Emergency Help: If your symptoms do not improve after using your inhaler, if they worsen rapidly, or if you don’t have access to your inhaler, call 999 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately.
7. Avoid Triggers: Identify and avoid triggers that may have caused the attack, such as allergens or irritants, to prevent future attacks.
8. Follow Up with Your Healthcare Provider: After an asthma attack, it’s important to follow up with your healthcare provider to discuss what happened and adjust your asthma management plan if necessary.

It’s crucial to have an asthma action plan in place, provided by your healthcare provider, to know how to manage your asthma effectively and respond to asthma attacks. If you or someone you know has asthma, it’s essential to have regular check-ups with a healthcare provider to monitor and manage the condition properly. This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, so always consult with a healthcare professional for personalized guidance. Other than that, we also need to be trained with CPR or use of AED that can be learnt from training such as Basic Life Support Training (BLS training), to provide emergency treatment to the victims in case of no inhaler around the victim at that time and leads to an unconscious victim. The BLS course is very important as we can also gain knowledge not only on CPR but also on how to use the AED and safe a choking victim.