An asthma attack occurs when the muscles of the airway go into a spasm and make it very difficult for the person to breathe, particularly to exhale air. Asthma attacks can be a result of stress, accident or an allergy. Sometimes, the causes cannot be identified. However, the incidence of asthma attacks has been on the rise.

First Aid for Asthma Attack
First aid tips for helping someone with an asthma attack are listed below:

• Reassure the person as that could calm the person down and ease breathing
• Make the person sit and bend a little forward to aid in breathing
• If the person has an inhaler to control the asthma attack, then help him or her reach it
• If the person is still in distress call an ambulance
• Help the person take medication/inhaler every 5-10 minutes before medical assistance arrives (the medication does not work within 5 whole minutes for a person who is suffering his or her first asthma attack)

A person is usually exhausted after an asthma attack. If the breathing improves, medical help may not be needed. However, referring the attack to a doctor is always advisable to detect the cause of the asthma attack. A spacer (medication is put at the end from where the child just breathes in) is recommended for children instead of an aerosol inhaler which is commonly used by adults.

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