Asthma Attack

Asthma Attack
Asthma attack
During an asthma attack a biological process called inflammation has been activated by one or more of the asthma known triggers. An asthma attack is where the body fights off the infection. Your body will begin the process of inflammation should t find an infection in your lungs. The infection will be attacked with white blood cells in order to eliminate the infection, but during this process the white blood cells tend to block the bronchi airways causing a production of sticky mucus and swelling. Any child with asthma will have a sensitivity to inflammation and the mucus and swelling will over compensate causing the bronchi airways to narrow too much. Breathing becomes extremely difficult and coughing and wheezing in an effort to relieve the chest is not helping.

Signs and Symptoms of an asthma attack

  • Worsening of the above mentioned symptoms
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Slurred speech or difficulty talking
  • Racing Pulse Rate
  • Blue colour to lips and finger nails
  • Tightening of the skin surrounding chest and neck
  • Flared nostrils with breathing

Call An Ambulance Immediately – Do not panic, remain calm and do not ignore these symptoms of asthma. Do not take any chances with childhood asthma as it could be fatal.

Both you and your child should be aware of how to cope with an asthma attack and know when it is necessary to consult medical help. The reliever inhaler (blue) should be easily accessible to both you and your child and one or more higher doses should be taken immediately in the event of an asthma attack. Monitor your child carefully and if you notice that the signs and symptoms get worse, increase or do not change after taking the relieving inhaler (blue) then contact medical help immediately.

A child having an asthma attack is usually admitted into hospital and given treatment in the form of oxygen, reliever and preventative medications to stabilise the asthma. Doctors will need to know what type of preventative and relieving medication your child is taking and what triggered the asthma attack in order to deal with their treatment.