Asthma is becoming increasingly prevalent every year affecting both adults and children. It is a distressing condition that causes the small passages of the airway to constrict due to spasm. Theses tissues also secrete sticky mucous causing further difficulties in breathing. Different things can trigger asthma attacks in different people. Common trigger factors include air pollution, cigarette smoke, pollen, dust and nervous tension.
Most people with asthma will know the best way of dealing with an attack as they may carry medication in the form of a reliever inhaler which helps to alleviate the symptoms in most cases. This is usually blue and relieves the first effects of asthma at the fist sign of attack. The Preventer is usually brown and used regularly to help prevent asthma attacks - this doesn’t have a effect on the attack once started.
Despite this, a severe asthma attack can be fatal and the casualty can deteriorate quickly.
The signs to look out for in recognising an attack is the individual will be facing difficulty in breathing - particularly breathing out. There may also be a wheeze when the casualty breathes out, distress and anxiety, coughing, and a rapid pulse. These are only some of the signs to look out for.
