Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition with a irregular pattern of calm and attacks. How best to help a asthmatic person having breathing difficulties?

A asthma attack can vary immensely in their severity, ranging from mild breathlessness to outright respiratory failure. Establishing and maintaining oxygen flow for the person is a priority that should be firsthand thoughts.

Asthma can be classified into three types based upon their causing factors and are as follows but the focus will be on the first two;

– Extrinsic , reaction to an allergen such as pollen, dust, smoke, fumes or pets.
– Instrinsic, develops after a chronic or recurrent infection of the bronchi, sinuses, tonsils or adenoids.
– Cardiac, condition associated with heart failure due to accumulation of fluid in the lungs.

The symptoms one will usually observe and hear will depend on the severity but as breathing becomes increasingly difficult the following occur ;

– sweating
– rapid heartbeat
– distress and anxiety
– unable to speak
– rapid breathing
– wheezing

Severe breathing difficulties will result in low oxygen in the blood due to inflammation of the mucosa, build-up of secretions, changes in the elastic recoil of the lungs Cyanosis can be observed and lead to fatal symptoms such as respiratory failure;

– bluish face, mouth and finger nails
– Respiratory failure, excess of carbon dioxide or deficient oxygen levels, or both

The person suffering a severe asthma attack will require specialized care and immediate medical attention from health professionals.

Treatment to control the condition is available but there is no cure. Maybe in the distant future, as our scientists do make new discoveries and innovations each day. Prevention of attacks through education and cooperation is the current practice in controlling symptoms for asthma.

– Identify the allergens in the surrounding environment that set off attacks
– Avoid infections, yearly flu and/or pneumonia vaccinations, avoid crowds during flu season
– Medications, keep handy at all times, they dilate and relax bronchioles specific to each person.

Emergency Breathing Techniques

Pursed lip breathing – Breath through the nose. Exhale through pursed lips (as if ready to blow a candle out but only enough to make it flicker) and should last twice as long as inhalation. This will improve oxygen levels in the blood. Preferably sitting up, forward , arms or shoulders forward and relaxed.

Bellybreathing – Inhale through your nose, abdomen relaxed and should feel your diaphragm move slightly down. Exhale through pursed lips. Can be used as a controlled breathing exercise while walking or exercising.

Best Breathing Positions

Standing, lean with back and hips against a wall. Spread your feet to shoulder width and foot from the wall. Relax and bed your shoulders slightly forward.

Sitting, sit in a chair. spread your feet shoulder width apart. Lean forward with elbows on your knees. Relax arms and hands.

Effects of aging on the airways occurs. Weakened muscles between the ribs and reduced elasticity of the rib cage combine to reduce the inhalation volume and the inability for the lungs to recoil reduces the exhalation volume of air. Changes in the blood capillaries and alveoli thicken and gases can’t diffuse as rapidly. Ciliated cells in the trachea are reduced in number therefore not as effective in catching airborne particles and viruses. Pneumonia and respiratory disorders are the leading cause of death in the older persons. Read related –> here and there.

I hope you found this article informative. Please feel free to leave your comments and share your own observations plus give your thumbs vote. Send me a email if you have a request on a topic of interest. It’s FREE to join my Fan club, subscribe by Email or my RSS Feed or just join me on Hubpages.

Article(C)2009 Dame Scribe, all rights reserved. Dame Scribe creates articles and posts online. She creates articles on business skills & development, health, science, technology and society and has a strong passion for writing.