Risk Factors of Asthma: The one thing ‘Absolutely Not To Do’ If Someone Has An Asthma Attack

Risk Factors of Asthma: Asthma is a common condition, affecting more than five million people in the UK. The most problematic part about asthma is the life-threatening asthma attacks. These medical emergencies kill three people in the UK every day, according to the NHS. Dr Ellie busts one myth about treating these attacks.

Asthma: Symptoms, Risk Factors And More. - Medic Drive

“Absolutely do not do that if somebody is having an asthma attack.”

Another presenter on the show Rochelle Humes noted: “That seems like a real old-fashion thing, give him a brown paper bag.”

Dr Ellie added: “That’s for panic, definitely not for asthma.”

The doctor explained that asthma attacks need to be taken seriously as they are “medical emergencies”.

She shared what to do in case someone in your close proximity suffers from an asthma attack.

Dr Ellie said: “The first thing to do is, remember that an asthma attack is actually a medical emergency, so it’s absolutely appropriate if you don’t feel confident, immediately to call 999.

“Asthma kills people every day in the UK, so call 999, that’s the first thing.

“Sit the person up and look for this blue inhaler, which is the reliever inhaler.”

“And if they can, then you should try and give them the inhaler,” she explained showing the inhaler.

The doctor explained how to actually use the inhaler in case of the emergency.

“You should have your head up and actually be directing it down that opens the airway,” Dr Ellie noted.

There’s also another trick, she shared, which describes a “special way” to breathe for adults.

She said: “You breathe out and once you’ve breathed out, you put your lips around the inhaler and breathe in while you press down.”

Parents with children will use a so-called spacer with their inhaler to make it “easier” to deliver the medication.

In case you need a reminder, here are the signs signalling an asthma attack:

Symptoms like cough, breathlessness, wheezing or tight chest getting worse
Reliever inhaler (usually blue) is not helping
Being too breathless to speak, eat or sleep
Breathing getting faster making you feel like you cannot catch your breath
Peak flow score is lower than normal.

Children can also experience a tummy or chest ache, the NHS explains.

Remember Dr Ellie’s advice, if you don’t feel confident providing help during an asthma attack, call 999 “immediately”.

Asthma Risk Factors

The most common risk factors for developing asthma is having a parent with asthma, having a severe respiratory infection as a child, having an allergic condition, or being exposed to certain chemical irritants or industrial dusts in the workplace.

What puts people at risk for developing asthma?

Family history
If you have a parent with asthma, you are three to six times more likely to develop asthma than someone who does not have a parent with asthma.
Viral respiratory infections
Respiratory problems during infancy and childhood can cause wheezing. Some children who experience viral respiratory infections go on to develop chronic asthma.
Allergies
Having an allergic condition, such as atopic dermatitis (eczema) or allergic rhinitis (hay fever), is a risk factor for developing asthma.
Occupational exposures
If you have asthma, exposure to certain elements in the workplace can cause asthma symptoms. And, for some people, exposure to certain dusts (industrial or wood dusts), chemical fumes and vapors, and molds can cause asthma to develop for the very first time.
Smoking
Cigarette smoke irritates the airways. Smokers have a high risk of asthma. Those whose mothers smoked during pregnancy or who were exposed to secondhand smoke are also more likely to have asthma. Learn more about the health effects of smoking with asthma.
Air Pollution
Exposure to the main component of smog (ozone) raises the risk for asthma. Those who grew up or live in urban areas have a higher risk for asthma.
Obesity
Children and adults who are overweight or obese are at a greater risk of asthma. Although the reasons are unclear, some experts point to low-grade inflammation in the body that occurs with extra weight. Obese patients often use more medications, suffer worse symptoms and are less able to control their asthma than patients in a healthy weight range.

While these factors increase a person’s risk for developing the disease, there are additional factors, such as poverty and lack of health insurance, that contribute to more asthma symptoms, emergency room visits and hospitalizations. Learn more about ways to improve asthma by understanding the risks related to exposure to things in the environment that are known to make asthma worse and management steps.

Source: | This article first appeared on Express.co.uk