The doctor from the intensive care unit: “If there was an attack in the cold, do this...”

Bronchial asthma is called an inflammatory disease of the bronchi, which occurs when in contact with irritants that enter the body from the air. The disease is accompanied by frequent shortness of breath, which can develop into strangulation. If the attack began suddenly, and there is no one around, everything can end in loss of consciousness or death.



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Bronchial asthma attack Allergic asthma It occurs quite often, and its exacerbation in the autumn-winter period is not uncommon. Frequent colds and frosty air can provoke another attack. Even if you don’t have asthma in your family, it’s important to know what actions can save a person’s life.

Today's edition. "Site" prepared a guide to help distinguish a choking attack from a normal cough. You will learn what steps to take to help a person regain their breath.



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1. How to recognize an attack
   In most cases, the attack begins unexpectedly. The forerunners are disturbedrapid breathing, sometimes with a whistle on inhalation and exhalation. Then begins a continuous cough, while the person feels pain and compression in the neck and chest. It is difficult for the patient to speak, the skin turns pale, and sweat may appear on the face. In the active phase of the attack, the lips or fingertips may turn blue, the person loses consciousness.
   
   
   
   If you notice that this happened to a child, friend or passerby – act immediately!
   
   
2. Urgent measures
   If the person is conscious, but close to panic - persuade him breathe evenly. Take deep breaths with him. Try not to be nervous, your calmness is very important. Before the ambulance arrives, try to eliminate the causes that interfere with free breathing. Help the person to take the correct position: standing or sitting, you need to spread your elbows to the sides to engage the respiratory muscles. It is best to sit the patient on a chair backwards, tilt a little forward and lean on the back of the divorced hands. Try to secure access. fresh-airIf you are indoors or in transport. Unbutton the asthmatics of the shirt gate, loosen the scarf or tie.
   
   
   
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   If the patient is able to talk, ask, or if he has an inhaler, take out and help inhale. Feel free to look for a can of medicine in your pockets or bag. Remove the cap, shake the inhaler several times and make 1-2 injections. inhale. Keep the inhaler upside down so that the jet of the drug is injected in a top-down direction. If there is no improvement after 10 minutes, repeat injection.
   
   The drug does not act instantly, so vigorously rub the patient's hands before the arrival of the ambulance. This should be done if there is no inhaler. Be sure to show the doctors what drugs the patient took.
   
   

Prevention has always been and remains the only way to minimize the risk of choking. See what precautions should be followed by a patient with asthma to protect themselves in the cold season.



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Recommendations for a patient with asthma in the cold season

1. Unconditionally adhere to the treatment prescribed by the doctor. Even if the attacks do not recur, you can not cancel the medication yourself.
2. Always carry an inhaler with you in an accessible place!
3. Minimize exposure to fresh air when the temperature drops below -10°.
4. Before walking in the cold air, 20-30 minutes before the exit, make inhalation with the drug prescribed by the doctor.
   
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5. Always cover your mouth and nose with a scarf or balaclava outside when it’s freezing.! This accessory will help warm the inhaled air, which significantly reduces the risk of an attack of suffocation. Pulmonologists make wearing a scarf in the list of recommendations for all patients with bronchial asthma and chronic lung diseases.
   
   
   
   It's really important! Especially for children who like to breathe with their mouths. Something as simple as a scarf can save a life.
   
   

If one parent has asthma or any form of severe allergy, the risk of developing this form of the disease increases. But treatment of bronchial asthma in adults and children are different, you should not prescribe the drug to the child if you notice similar symptoms.

For caring parents, we have an information guide on cough-related issues. It describes in detail how to cure a cough in a child and whether it makes sense to self-medicate.

If you liked the article, show it to your friends on social media. Perhaps this information will help save someone’s life.

Our readers are always experts, if you know about them. Effective emergency measures for asthmaBe sure to write about them in the comments.