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The symptoms of asthma and how to treat it.

By Bill, posted

Asthma is caused by inflammation of the small tubes, called bronchi, which carry air in and out of the lungs. If you have asthma, the bronchi will be inflamed and more sensitive than normal.

When you come into contact with something that irritates your lungs the airways will narrow and the muscles tighten.
Common triggers are:
Animal fur
Pollution
Pollen
Exercise

If someone has a severe asthma attack it can be fatal.
Symptoms of asthma are tightness of the chest, wheezing, struggling to speak and a grey/bluish colour around the lips.

If someone is showing these symptoms try to reassure them and if they have an inhaler get them to use it. If the symptoms continue to worsen get them to use their inhaler up to 10 times within 5 minutes. If the symptoms do not improve after this time or it is their first asthma attack then you will need to call an ambulance.

Continue to monitor their breathing and level of consciousness. If they become unconscious do your primary survey and treat as an unconscious casualty.

More can be learnt about to treat asthma and how to deal with an unconscious casualty on our Emergency First Aid at Work course.

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