ASTHMA ATTACK

 

Symptoms | When to call | Homecare Advice

 

HOME CARE ADVICE FOR MILD ASTHMA ATTACK

  1. Quick-Relief Asthma Medicine:  
    • Start your quick-relief medicine (e.g. albuterol inhaler or nebulizer) at the first sign of any coughing or shortness of breath (don't wait for wheezing). Use inhaler (2 puffs each time) or nebulizer q 4 hours. Continue the quick-relief medicine until you have not wheezed or coughed for 48 hours.
    • The best "cough medicine" for an adult with asthma is always the asthma medicine. (Note: Don't use cough suppressants, but cough drops may help a tickly cough.)
  2. Long-Term-Control Asthma Medicine: If you are using a controller medicine (e.g. inhaled steroids or cromolyn), continue to take it as directed.
  3. Fluids: Try to drink normal amount of clear fluids (e.g. water). (Reason: adequate hydration makes it easier to cough up the sticky lung mucus.)
  4. Humidifier: If the air is dry, use a cool mist humidifier to prevent drying of the upper airway.
  5. Hay Fever: For nose allergy symptoms, it's OK to take antihistamines. (Reasons: poor control of allergic rhinitis makes asthma worse, whereas antihistamines don't make asthma worse).
  6. Remove Allergens: Take a shower to remove pollens, animal dander, or other allergens from the body and hair.
  7. Avoid Triggers: Avoid known triggers of asthma attacks (e.g. tobacco smoke, cats, other pets, feather pillows, exercise)
  8. Work with Your Doctor: There is no cure for asthma but you can take charge and learn to control it. The best way to take charge of asthma is to work with your doctor (over many months) to find the right controller (preventive) medicine so your asthma is under control. If you keep having asthma attacks, then the asthma is not under control. People can die from asthma if they do not take it seriously and work with a doctor to control it.
  9. Expected Course: If treatment is started early, most asthma attacks are quickly brought under control. All wheezing should be gone by 5 days.
  10. Call Your Doctor If:
    • Inhaled asthma medicine (nebulizer or inhaler) is needed more often than every 4 hours
    • Wheezing has not completely cleared after 5 days
    • You become worse or develop any of the "Call Your Doctor" symptoms.

Disclaimer: This information is not intended be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is provided for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information.

Adult SelfCareNavigator. Copyright © 2000-2004 David Thompson, M.D. FACEP

Reviewed 8/2004

Revised 8/2003

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