Asthma Attack Treatment

Asthma can be quite frightening and certain steps need to be taken to avoid complications. The treatment is simple but its timing is very important. One must identify what triggers one's asthma such as pollen, dust, smoke etc. Hence, it is best to stay away from areas which can trigger the attack. Also some people are more prone to attacks during particular season, this can be avoided by taking extra care.

Treatment: Without Inhaler
To treat asthma without inhalers, first thing one must do is to identify the symptoms. The sooner one identifies the symptoms, the better. The next thing to do is to distance yourself from the asthma trigger. Sit in a well ventilated place and do not panic. Try and breathe slowly, if you find it difficult to breathe, calm yourself to bring the heart rate down. Take a paper bag or something similar and try breathing with that.

If you have an anti-allergic medicine or an asthma medication with you, then take the medication. Once the breathing gets relatively easier, try to get an inhaler. Remember to always carry it with you, no matter what. The best way to treat asthma is to not panic yourself or make the patient panic, especially during an attack in a child.

Emergency Treatment
In case of an emergency treatment during an asthma attack, do not make the person lie down. Do not crowd around the person, try to make him sit, so that it is easier for him to breathe. The next thing is to make the person use his inhaler. For an adult, 6 to 7 puffs will suffice, whereas for a child, 4 to 5 puffs are enough. If there are any asthma triggering factors around the person, such as dust or even a pet, distance the person from them for the time being. Once the breathing has returned to normal, medication should be administered immediately.

Home Treatment
There are many home remedies for asthma. If one detects the onset of an attack, then drinking something hot like black coffee or soup can really help the person. Some people greatly benefit by increasing vitamin C, vitamin B12 and vitamin B6 intake in their diet which help to prevent the attack. Reducing the intake of salt also helps in the same way.

Hot honey and ginger also help clear the passage ways, and since the throat is clear, breathing is much easier. Of the many home remedies is inhaling the fumes of juniper oil dissolved in hot water for some instant relief. Mixture of mustard oil and camphor, if rubbed on the back also helps during an attack. Caffeine helps in clearing the airways, so drinking coffee is a good idea.

This is a quick run through for asthma treatment. The sooner these acts can be put into action the better.

• Make the person sit in a well ventilated area, preferably outdoors.
• Administer the inhaler puffs.
• Give asthma medication or anti-allergic medicine.
• Distance the person from the cause of the attack.
• If the symptoms don't go away, visit a physician or call 911 in case of an acute attack

The best treatment is to stay extra careful around the seasons in which you are most prone to an attack. Remember to always keep your inhaler handy.