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/

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