The four things you should do IMMEDIATELY if you suffer an asthma attack

HAVING an asthma attack can be scary.

They leave you gasping for breath, with many sufferers describing it as feeling like a pillow is being held over their face.

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It's an inconvenience some 5.4 million Brits who suffer from asthma could face each day.

And knowing what to do when you have an attack could be the difference between life and death.

If you have asthma you should carry your reliever inhaler with you at all times, as well as use a preventative inhaler.

But they don't always protect against asthma attacks.

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The 4 things you MUST do if you have an attack:

Knowing these four steps could be the difference between life and death, Sonia Munde, from Asthma UK, told The Sun Online.

1. Sit up straight and try to keep calm
2. Take one puff of your reliever inhaler (usually blue) every 30 – 60 seconds, up to a maximum of 10 puffs
3. If you feel worse at any point while using your inhaler or you don’t feel better after 10 puffs, or you are worried at any time, call 999 for an ambulance
4. If the ambulance is taking longer than 15 minutes, you can repeat step two

"Whenever someone has an asthma attack they should make an urgent same-day appointment with their GP or asthma nurse, so they can assess what can be done to help prevent them having future asthma attacks," Sonia said.

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How to tell if you're having an attack:

While you are having an asthma attack the signs will be fairly obvious.

But there are also several things that happen in the lead-up that can warn you that an attack is coming.

"As asthma can vary so much from person to person, it can sometimes be difficult for people with asthma to identify when they are having an attack," Sonia said.

You are having an asthma attack if you notice any of the following:

• Your reliever inhaler (usually blue) is not helping or lasting for four hours
• Your symptoms are getting worse - think coughing, breathlessness, wheezing, coughing at night or a tight chest
• You are too breathless to speak, eat or sleep, or it is difficult to do any of these things
• Your breathing is getting faster, and it feels like you can’t get your breath in properly

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Prevention is key

There are several things you can do to minimise your risk of suffering a terrifying attack.

Knowing what irritates your asthma is key, so that you can avoid any potential triggers.

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"Asthma attacks occur when your body reacts to asthma triggers, which can include pollen, cigarette smoke and pets among many other things," explained Sonia.

"When breathed in, an asthma trigger irritates the airways, making them react and become inflamed and narrow, which leads to asthma symptoms.

"While you may not be able to control how much you are exposed to your asthma triggers, you can build up your protection against them by taking your preventer medication as prescribed.

"This reduces and soothes the inflammation in your sensitive airways and means they are less likely to react when you come into contact with asthma triggers.

"Everyone with asthma should also make sure they keep their blue reliever inhaler with them at all times in case of an emergency."

Home remedies

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Apart from avoiding triggers and taking your medication as prescribed, there are several other things you can do to minimise your risk of an attack.

"While some people find complementary therapies help their asthma, they may not work for everyone, and some things may be harmful," said Sonia.

"The trouble is, complementary therapies haven't been studied as much as conventional medicines, so there's not very much scientific evidence to show they work or that they're even safe.

"If you are planning on trying any complementary therapies, it’s important to speak to your GP first and to keep taking your asthma medications as prescribed."

Yoga

Some people find that yoga helps their asthma because of the connection between movement and breathing, and because it helps with posture.

Posture is important for people with asthma because being hunched up restricts the amount of air they can get into the lungs.

Breathing techniques

Breathing techniques such as the Buteyko technique aims to reduce symptoms by teaching people to breathe slowly and gently through their nose rather than their mouth.

But this can dry out the airways and make them more sensitive.

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Mindfulness

Mindfulness is a form of meditation, where people focus on what’s happening in the present moment.

Some people with asthma, who are triggered by emotions such as stress or anxiety, may find regular mindfulness can help as it involves taking time out to calm the mind."

But there is not enough evidence to recommend home remedies, Sonia said.

If you are worried about your asthma you should always speak to a GP first.

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