How to Administer First Aid to a Child During an Asthma Attack

Several years ago in one of my frequent visits to my sister in California, I was frightened at the sight of her daughter during an asthma attack. My sister, on the other hand, remained calm, telling me that their doctor assured that although an asthma attack is terrifying, persons seldom die as a direct result, unless an overdose of sedatives is given.

Doctors say that in asthma, there is interference with the passage of air through the membrane-lined tubes which serve the lungs. These tubes (the bronchi) become swollen and congested. There is more difficulty in expelling air from the lungs than in drawing it in.

The typical picture is that of a child, sitting bolt upright in bed with her arms extended at her sides, pressing downward against the bed (this was exactly the condition I found my niece in during that visit). Her skin appears blue because she is not able to breathe the normal amount of air. Her efforts at breathing are accompanied by wheezing. The large veins of the neck are conspicuous, and the heart "pounds" at a rapid rate.

Medical experts warn that when asthma attacks are permitted to repeat, time after time, the patient's general health declines, possibly with permanent damage to lung tissues.

During an asthma attack, prompt first aid and medical advice may be life-saving. Experts suggest the following treatment procedure:

1) For immediate treatment, first try giving the patient a hot drink of milk, postum, or plain hot water. This of itself may relax the tissues in the air passages.

2) Help the victim into a comfortable sitting position; leaning forward supported by the arms helps reduce breathing effort and increases the efficiency of the lungs. Give her frequent reassurance.

3) A steam inhalation accompanied by a hot foot bath may bring relief. If no mechanical vaporizer is available, treatment may be given by conducting steam from a pan of boiling water through a paper cone to the area of the patient's face. Care must be taken not to burn the face or the sensitive membranes of the organs of breathing and to ensure a supply of fresh air.

4) If the victim has medication prescribed to relieve an asthma attack, help her to take it promptly. Often this will be a 'puffer' spray. (If there is no improvement or the attack is getting worse, call for an ambulance immediately.)

5) If an ambulance is required, help the victim while waiting - if necessary - to take four puffs of the 'reliever' medication every four minutes, preferably through a 'spacer' device to ensure that the full dose is inhaled.

6) If the victim collapses, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) may be needed as a life-saving measure until the ambulance arrives.

Medical records reveal that in about half the cases, asthma is caused by the patient's sensitivity to pollens or dust (as was the case of my niece) or to certain foods or drugs. In the remaining half, the asthma seems to result from infections of the organs of breathing, the patient having become sensitive to the products of the germs causing the infection.


Author - Mara Bateman
Bio - Mara Bateman conducts trainings for executives of service-oriented companies. She is a logistics and travel consultant and is a freelance writer. Her interests are writing, lots of reading, housekeeping, cooking, and health care.

10 Simple and Natural Home Remedies for Asthma

Asthma is a long-term disease that has already affected millions of people all around the world. It is generally caused by allergies to certain substances such as dust, gases, smoke, pollens, foods, animal dander, cold weather, environmental changes, etc. Coughing, wheezing, difficulty in breathing, and tightness in chest are some of the major symptoms of this disease.

One must control asthma as it is a life-threatening and serious disease. Although asthma is a chronic disease, it is treatable. Read this article to find the best natural home remedies for asthma. These natural remedies help reduce the severity of the disease and relieve the various symptoms associated with it. These home remedies are very simple and one can easily follow them in the comfort of their home.

Asthma Home Remedies

* The first thing you need to do is to know various allergens that may trigger the symptoms, and try to avoid them.

* Take one teaspoon turmeric (haldi) powder two times a day along with warm water. This is an effective home remedies for asthma.

* Prepare a decoction by boiling equal quantities of ginger (adrak), holy basil (tulsi) and black pepper (kali mirch). Take this mixed with half a teaspoon of honey.

* Another useful home remedy for asthma is honey and ginger juice. Take one teaspoon of honey along with few drops of fresh ginger (adrak) juice on an empty stomach in the morning.

* Boil some carom seeds (ajwain) in water. Inhale the fumes produced by this hot solution. This helps relieve chest congestion.

* Carom seeds (ajwain) are also beneficial in reducing the excessive production of phlegm. Take carom seeds in the form of powder twice daily, or prepare a decoction and take it warm. This remedy is taken especially in bronchial asthma, when phlegm remains stuck in the bronchioles.

* The smoke that is obtained by burning asafoetida (hing) can be inhaled to get relief from spasms of bronchial asthma.

* Boil two or three cloves of garlic (lahsun) to a glassful of milk for five minutes. Drink hot to get relief from asthmatic symptoms.

* Another simple home remedy for asthma is mint. It is well known for its property of decreasing phlegm. Crush fresh mint leaves to extract its juice. Add equal amount of ginger (adrak) juice in mint juice. Take 8-10 ml of this mixture two times a day, along with honey.

* Holy basil (tulsi) is a valuable herb known for its anti-asthmatic properties. Crush few fresh leaves of holy basil and extract the juice. Mix basil juice with few drops of ginger (adrak) juice and some honey.

Disclaimer: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the asthma home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products or ingredients if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the website or the writer.

Author: - Ryan Mutt,
Homepage:- http://www.naturalhealth-supplements.com/

Allergic asthma natural cure - some easy to follow methods

Asthma is nothing but the allergic inflammation of the lungs and today millions are suffering worldwide with a rising trend. Various factor triggers asthma and it varies among individuals. Some most common factors are dust, pollen, animal dander, mites, chemical, molds, stress, food and temperature fluctuation.

Asthma has been classified as intrinsic and extrinsic and allergic asthma is comes under intrinsic asthma. It means this asthma attack takes place by exposures to allergens found in nature. In the course of allergic asthma attack lungs sore and mucus membranes produce sticky, thick mucus that results to breathing difficulty.

Symptoms that usually follows an asthma attack include wheezing, shortness of breath, thigh feeling of chest coughing. Varity of inhales are now being prescribed by modern medicine the relief allergic asthma but you should be aware that there are natural asthma treatments that can cure allergic asthma without calling any complications or side effects that can be seen during modern medication.

 Few allergic asthma natural cures are the following:

Take care of your food habit, change if requires. An allergy to food can initiate an attack. Find out which food triggering the allergic response and avoid that.

 Try to avoid foods that can produce mucus like sugar, dairy product, fried food, milk, lentils and many more.

Stress is one of a potent asthma initiator so avoid stress and if needs change your lifestyle.

 Go for regular exercise moderate exercise can reduce stress. Yoga, meditation, deep breathing is very useful to strengthen respiratory system.

Avoid pollution try to stay in a clean environment and always try not to be exposed to allergen.

Following these points sincerely certainly help you to cope up with allergic asthma attack.

Modern medicines usually prescribed to treat asthma

There are two typical medicine for bronchial asthma that are prescribed by modern medical practitioners: anti-inflammatory– which helps to scale back the swelling in the airways and the second is bronchodilators which loose up the muscle surrounding the airways , that constrict during asthma attack, therefore, makes the sufferer to breathe  normally.

Bronchodilators

Bronchodilators are beta-agonist that alleviates acute symptoms. When it is inhaled, it instantly affects the muscle ring the airways in the lungs and leading improved airflow. Inhaled remedies are much advantageous than swallowed because the medicine molecule directly reach the affected area thus requires less amount and reasonable the level of side effect is minimum.

Inhaled Corticosteroids

These anti-inflammatory molecules scale back irritation by mediating and reducing capillary leakage, inflammation if cells and edema. Corticosteroids usually are not acceptable for quick remedy of acute signs of wheezing but use for long term management of asthma and  related inflammation. Bronchodilator and corticosteroid are some time prescribed simultaneously to cover instant and long –term treatment.

Role of vitamins on natural asthma treatment

Right now about ten million American’s are suffering from asthma and it is going to be considered as new epidemic of this century. Though people blames asthma as a result of environmental pollution and increasing exposure of toxic chemical in air but the exact cause/s are yet to be discovered. First hand precaution may reduce the sufferers but the recognizable early warning signs are heavily ignored.

Although the cause is not known but the effect of asthma is swelling of airways in the lungs and production of thick mucus. Ultimate result is breathing difficulties and wheezing sound due to narrowing of wind pipe. The first attack may include wheezing, congestion, coughing and shortness of breath.

There are some factors that trigger attack, it may vary from individuals and any thing may result the asthma attack. Common factors are allergens, stress, upper respiratory track infection, over exertion etc. Even malnutrition may trigger the attack.

Vitamins, minerals and herbal supplements are very much effective to treat asthma naturally. Most important is vitamin C as it develops immunity to fight against cold and infections. Vitamin B complex being the water soluble daily upload is necessary and these are necessary for biochemical balance and reduce the severity of the attack. Among the fat soluble vitamins vitamin A and E together works to protect lungs against pollutions because they are potent free radical scavengers.

Garlic is a great choice to fight naturally against asthma as it contains an anti-inflammatory molecule that absolutely reduces the chance of attack besides it is also acts as an anti-microbe. Another herb is Gingko balboa, it very effectively enhance breathing.

It is necessary to diagnose asthma as fast as possible so if you suspect or find any indication never forget to go to your doctor sharp. Not only asthma patients but for everyone high protein diet, plenty of vegetable and fruit along with sufficient water intake is necessary. Always avoid tension and anxiety and if possible, strenuous work. To be free of stress you mat have a professional help of psychologist or a quick Yoga and meditation course. Be happy and try to keep away asthma.

Some warning signs of asthma

There are the early signs of asthma. If you know it is easy for you to prevent the first asthma attack. The first signs, in general, be felt before the onset of the episodes of asthma. Signs of asthma symptoms are unique and vary from individual to individual but certainly it have some clues to take earliest action to preventive an attack.
The cause of asthma attack is still not clear; it could be from environmental pollutant, allergic reaction or from genetic disposition. Sometimes warning signs could be observed only by an individual of a family or can be more potentially be seen by other members of a family especially if a family has asthma trend.

Here are some early signs that could lead to future asthma attack.

* Breathing Problem
* Sneezing
* Runny/stuffy nose
* Coughing
* Allergy rhynitis
* Allergic disposition
* Trouble sleeping
* Moodiness
* Feeling tired
* Poor tolerance for exercise