Asthma Attack

An emergency is when...

Your reliever (blue) inhaler does not help. Symptoms get worse eg. coughing, breathlessness, wheezing and tight chest. You are too breathless to speak.

What to do in an asthma emergency?

The Five Minute Rule

1. Ensure that the reliever inhaler is taken immediately. This is usually blue and opens up narrowed air passages Sit up and loosen tight clothing
2. Stay calm. Attacks can be frightening and is important to stay calm and if you are assisting in an emergency, please remain calm.
3. If there is no immediate improvement during an attack, continue to take one puff of reliever inhaler every minute for five minutes or until symptoms improve.
4. If your symptoms do not improve in five minutes or if you are in doubt, call 999 or a doctor urgently.

Find out more about asthma in the irishhealth.com Asthma Clinic