CLEARANCE

SkillBase First Aid Guide to Asthma

There are 5.4 million people in the UK with Asthma, the equivalent to one person in every 5 households.  Although management and treatment of Asthma is very good, we should not forget that it is a life threatening condition, over 1,400 people die in the UK of asthma each year.

When an asthmatic is exposed to a trigger, it causes tightening or swelling of the airway.  This will make breathing very difficult for the asthmatic.  Triggers can include, dust, pollen, pollution and smoke.  Attacks can also be triggered by illness or infection, exposure to chemical, exercises, or stress.  Asthma may be worse at nighttime.

Possible Signs and Symptoms:

• Wheezy breathing (especially when breathing out).
• Shortness of breath.
• Coughing.
• Tightness in the chest.
• Distressed and anxious.
• Difficulty in talking.
• Signs and symptoms of hypoxia.

Treatment:

• Get the casualty sitting upright. If they are weak, they could lean onto something, but do not allow them to 'curl up'.
• Do not allow the casualty to lie down.
• Reassure the casualty to relive anxiety.  Do not encourage them to talk back.
• Keep the casualty in the environment they are in (unless in danger or it is making breathing worse).  Moving the casualty to an environment with a different temperature (such as outside or an air conditioned room) may make breathing more difficult.
• Get the casualty to take their medication.  Asthmatics should carry a reliever inhaler, which are usually blue (other colour inhalers are likely to be preventer inhalers).  The casualty should be able to take this themselves.  They may use a spacer or chamber to make the medication more effective.
• If the inhaler does not take affect, the symptoms become worse or the casualty is becoming exhausted you should call for an ambulance.
• Be prepared to use your emergency plan.

Workplace Information:

You should speak to any colleagues with asthma about the symptoms and triggers.  Ensure that they bring an inhaler to work with them, and that you know where it is kept.  Make sure all first aiders know they are an asthmatic.