An asthma attack can feel different for different people. It'll usually involve a squeezing feeling in your chest, a cough that won't clear or a whistle when you breathe. However your asthma attacks present themselves it can be scary. Thankfully, with our 24-hour doctor service in Marbella, you know you'll have the medical help you need when you need it - no matter when an attack strikes.
What is Asthma?
Asthma is a respiratory condition that causes your airways to become inflamed. If you suffer from asthma you will usually be prescribed an inhaler which will help to relieve the tension around your airways. You will usually have a general use inhaler to be used daily to keep your symptoms at bay. You will also be given an emergency inhaler which can be sued if your symptoms flare up and cause an asthma attack. Whilst this will make it easier for you to breathe by relieving the tension in your airways, it won't stop the inflammation.
Thankfully, taking the right steps can help your symptoms to pass much faster.
How Do I Identify an Asthma Attack?
An asthma attack can be identified by any of the following occurrences:
- Your inhaler isn't helping to relieve your symptoms
- Your inhaler relieves your symptoms for a short while but they return after a few hours
- You find it difficult to speak due to breathlessness
- Your symptoms are getting worse
- You're struggling to catch your breath
Even if your asthma attack happens in the middle of the night, don't be afraid of getting somebody's attention. If you have an attack, it's important that you get medical help straight away. You can call on our 24-hour doctor service any time of day, any day of the year and we'll send someone out to you as quickly as possible. If you can, try to have a written copy of your asthma plan to hand. This will help our team understand what medications you are on and what kind of help you're likely to need.
What To Do in an Asthma Attack
Here's our advice on what you should do during an asthma attack.
- Make sure you're sitting up straight. Lying down can often make your symptoms worse.
- Try to stay calm. If you panic and your heart rate increases, you'll find it even harder to catch your breath.
- Take a puff on your reliever inhaler every 30-60 seconds. Take no more than ten puffs in total.
If after ten puffs your symptoms don't get any better or if something about your asthma attack doesn't seem right, call on our 24-hour doctor service.
We'll be with you as soon as possible, but if you're waiting more than 15 minutes repeat the steps outlined above.
If you find that you’re experiencing asthma attacks more recently, it could be a sign that something is making your symptoms worse. Don’t ignore this! Make sure you call our GP service in Marbella and have your condition assessed as soon as possible. Remember, our 24-hour doctor service in Marbella is 24 hours a day, every day of the year.