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Asthma
Asthma is when the bronchi (air tubes of the lungs) go into spasm and become narrower. Excess mucous is produced, causing the person to have difficulty breathing.
Symptoms
The casualty may be
- unable to get enough air
- progressively more anxious, short of breath, subdued or panicky
- focused only on breathing
- coughing, wheezing
- pale, sweating
- blue around the lips, ear lobes and fingertips
- unconscious.
What to do
- Make the casualty comfortable.
- Sit the casualty upright, leaning slightly forward over spread elbows.
- Reassure and calm the casualty.
- Provide adequate fresh air.
- Encourage relaxed and controlled breathing.
- Assist the casualty to take their own medication.
- Give 4 puffs of a blue reliever inhaler (puffer).
- Wait 4 minutes.
- If there is no improvement, give another 4 puffs.
- Note the time at which the medication was taken.
- If response to medication is poor, seek medical aid immediately.
- Seek medical assistance.
- While waiting for assistance, monitor and record the following vital signs
- airway
- breathing
- circulation
- level of consciousness.
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