It’s possible to prevent an asthma episode from becoming a medical emergency, simply by staying calm and knowing how to respond. Instructions for early intervention in a worsening asthma episode can usually be found in your spouse’s asthma action plan. It takes the guesswork out of the situation and provides direction during a potentially frightening time.

An asthma action plan usually includes several sets of instructions based on asthma warning signs and symptoms. Often, it’s based on a series of peak flow zones, arranged in a red (emergency), yellow (caution), and green (everything’s fine) traffic light system.

The action plan should state what the doctor wants your spouse to do when each set of warning signs or symptoms occurs. The action plan also lists who to call at each step (the doctor, the hospital, or 911). However, an asthma action plan won’t help your spouse or you if you can’t find it (or don’t understand what it says).

• Ask your spouse to explain the asthma action plan beforehand, so you know how to read it during an emergency. An acute asthma episode is not the time to fumble through a laundry list of tongue-twisting medications and unfamiliar medical jargon.
• Know where your spouse’s quick-relief rescue medication and asthma action plan are kept. If there are different kinds of inhalers, know which one is the rescue medication.
• Don’t wait to call a health care provider, and never feel squeamish about calling the doctor in the middle of the night. An untreated asthma episode can turn fatal without proper care.

What to avoid during an asthma episode

You’ll hear plenty of well-meaning advice about how to respond to an asthma episode. Your best bet is to follow the action plan exactly. If your spouse doesn’t have one, or if you just want to help your loved one stay comfortable, beware of outdated advice and folk remedies.

The National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP, a project of the National Institutes of Health) recommends you avoid the asthma management “advice” listed below. These actions may bring a temporary feeling of relief, according to the NAEPP, but they may also delay your loved one from seeking the medical attention he or she needs.

• Do not drink a great quantity of water. Normal water consumption helps prevent dehydration, but don’t overdo it. The average person needs six to eight cups of water per day.
• Do not take a hot shower. Warm, moist air may make your spouse feel better, but the effect wears off soon after leaving the shower. Check the asthma action plan for better advice.
• Do not use over-the-counter products, like antihistamines, cold remedies, or bronchodilators. Use only the medication prescribed by the doctor, and use it as directed. If it doesn’t help, check the asthma action plan for advice or call the doctor.

Finally, make sure you know how to recognize the visual clues that point to an asthma emergency. When someone you love has asthma, recognizing a medical emergency and providing quick action can possibly save a life.

This entry was posted on Saturday, November 24th, 2007 at 10:30 am and is filed under Caregivers. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.