How do I feel when I am having an asthma attack?

 

It is important that you recognise and treat your worsening asthma as soon as possible – to do this you need to understand what your specific symptoms are. Keep your Asthma Management Plan handy or make sure you and an adult (and this can be your carer, your teacher, your grandparents) understand what actions you need to take when your asthma gets worse.

 
Mild symptoms 

You might have a slight wheeze, occasional cough, symptoms when excited or running.

 

You will need need to use your blue reliever.

 
Moderate episode 

Your symptoms might include finding it hard to breathe and to talk, and a daytime cough, or wheeze, which can upset sleeping at night and no energy.  

You will need to check your Asthma Management Plan.  

You may need to use your reliever (blue inhaler) with a spacer for immediate relief. You can use up to 6 puffs/doses of your reliever at this time through a spacer (one puff at a time in spacer and take 6 breaths).


If your asthma gets worse and you do not improve after 6 minutes call the ambulance. Continue to use the reliever (blue inhaler) through a spacer every 6 minutes until help arrives.

 
IN AN EMERGENCY REMEMBER  A.S.T.H.M.A. – Assess, Sit, Treat, Help, Monitor, All OK
 

ASSESS

Mild? Short of breath, wheeze, cough, chest tightness.

Moderate? Loud wheeze, breathing difficulty, can only speak in short sentences.

Severe? Distressed, gasping for breath, difficulty speaking two words, blueness around the mouth.

IF THE PERSON HAS SEVERE ASTHMA OR IS FRIGHTENED CALL AN AMBULANCE 111. 

SIT

Sit the person upright and stay with them.

TREAT

Treat with 6 doses of the blue 'reliever' inhaler, preferably through a spacer.  One puff of medicine at a time using 6 breaths per puff.

HELP

If not improving after 5 minutes, call the ambulance. Continue to use blue inhaler 6 doses every 6 minutes until help arrives.  Remember 6 puffs of medicine, 6 breaths per puff, 6 minute wait

In this situation you will not overdose the person by giving them the reliever every 6 minutes.

MONITOR

If improving after 6 minutes, keep monitoring. If necessary repeat doses of blue inhaler.

ALL OK!

When free of wheeze, cough and breathlessness, return to activity. If symptoms recur repeat treatment and rest. See your doctor.