Asthma By Jack and Tiga

What is the Medical condition  Asthma is a condition of the airways. People with asthma have sensitive airways in their lungs which react to triggers that set off their asthma. This makes it harder for them to breathe.

Possible Consequences  A consequence of Asthma is the narrowing of the airways. Three main factors cause the airways to narrow:  The inside lining of the airways becomes red and swollen (inflammation)  Extra mucus (sticky fluid) may be produced, which can block up airways  Muscles around the airways squeeze tight. This is called ‘bronchoconstriction’

Signs and Symptoms  Asthma symptoms and severity vary substantially from person to person. Most people with asthma do not show constant symptoms. Bothersome asthma symptoms can mean that asthma is not controlled sufficiently, or that an acute asthma episode may be starting. Common asthma symptoms include:  Cough  Wheeze  Tight Feeling in the Chest  Shortness of Breath  Awakening at Night from Coughing or Wheezing

Risk Factors & Possible Causes  Definite causes of Asthma are still unknown, but the most accurate assumption is linked to genetics. Some factors that lead to Asthma development include:  Having a parent with asthma, eczema, or hay fever increases a child’s risk of developing asthma  Obesity increases the risk of developing asthma  Smoking during pregnancy can damage a baby’s lungs and lead to respiratory illness  Children of mums who smoke are four times more likely to wheeze  Infants who are breast-fed are less likely to wheeze than those who have cow or soy milk or formula  Children who are exposed to tobacco smoke have more chest infections  Children who have respiratory infections when they are infants may be up to 40% more likely to develop asthma  Modern diets may have contributed to the higher levels of asthma and allergy. This could be due to factors such as an increase in processed foods and polyunsaturated fatty acid from margarine and vegetable oil, and a reduction in antioxidants from fresh fruit and vegetables and lower levels of polyunsaturated fatty acid from oily fish

First Aid Management on the Scene 1. Sit the person upright be calm and reassuring do not leave them alone 2. Give 4 separate puffs of blue/grey reliever puffer Shake puffer Put 1 puff into spacer Take 4 breaths from spacer Repeat until 4 puffs have been taken Remember: Shake, 1 puff, 4 breaths OR Give 2 separate doses of a Bricanyl inhaler (age 6 and over) or a Symbicort inhaler (over 12) 3. Wait 4 minutes If there is no improvement, give 4 more separate puffs of blue/grey reliever as above (OR give 1 more dose of Bricanyl or Symbicort inhaler) 4. If there is still no improvement call emergency assistance (dial 000) Say 'ambulance' and that someone is having an asthma attack Keep giving 4 separate puffs every 4 minutes until emergency assistance arrives (OR 1 dose of Bricanyl or Symbicort every 4 minutes - up to 3 more doses of Symbicort) Call emergency assistance immediately (dial 000) If the person is not breathing If the person's asthma suddenly becomes worse, or is not improving If the person is having an asthma attack and a reliever is not available If you are not sure if it's asthma If the person is known to have Anaphylaxis - follow their Anaphylaxis Action Plan, then give them Asthma First Aid Blue-grey reliever medication is unlikely to harm, even if the person does not have asthma

Further Treatment/ Management by Medical Professionals  There is no proper treatment by professionals when it comes to Asthma, instead a doctor or nurse may prescribe the patient with preventers such as inhalers and medication.