Asthma Attacks

Patient Information Leaflet

Introduction

This leaflet is for people who have attended the emergency department following an asthma attack / suspected asthma attack. You have been assessed, and the doctor is happy for you to be discharged from the hospital with arrangements for you to be seen by a specialist.

What is asthma?

Asthma is a condition that affects the airways – the tubes that carry air in and out of your lungs. If you have asthma, you have very sensitive airways that become inflamed and tighten when you breathe in anything that irritates your lungs, such as smoke or allergens like pollen. This can cause chest tightness and wheezing, and makes it harder to breathe. You may also get a build-up of mucus, which can also result in more shortness of breath as this can make the tubes narrower.

Anyone can develop asthma. Some people have frequent symptoms and some people are only affected by their asthma when they are exposed to certain triggers. Common triggers are tobacco smoke, indoor and outdoor air pollution, pets, viral infections and household sprays and products.

What happens next?

If you have attended the Emergency Department once with asthma or suspected asthma, The emergency department (ED) will refer you to the specialist asthma clinic, where you will be seen by a specialist asthma nurse as an outpatient. If you do not hear within two weeks of your attendance at the ED, please call the specialist asthma clinic nurses on 01384 244315 (Monday to Friday 8am until 6pm).

When you attend your outpatient appointment, it would be helpful if you could bring with you any regular medications that you take, and some peak flow measurements from the time you were discharged from hospital (if you have a peak flow meter at home).

When you are seen by the asthma nurse in the outpatient clinic, they will be able to provide you with further information and answer any questions you have. Until you are seen by the nurse, it is advised that you follow the advice below.

For your safety

• You should take any medication prescribed to you by the emergency department.
• You should continue with your normal medication that you take for your asthma – including your preventer inhaler. By taking your preventer inhaler regularly, you are treating the inflammation in your airways. Preventer inhalers usually contain medication called inhaled steroids, similar to the steroids our bodies produce. Having an extra amount of this in our body in the morning and at night can help control the inflammation and reduce symptoms.
• If you have a reliever inhaler (normally blue) you should use this when you experience wheezing, breathlessness and tightness in your chest. These inhalers contain medication that relaxes the muscles around the tightened airways, allowing the airways to open wider, and this should make it easier to breathe. If you are on the MART / SMART /AIR regime, follow the instructions below for first aid, in the SMART / MART /AIR First Aid.

These inhalers can be used for up to ten puffs when you are not feeling well.

First Aid during an asthma attack if you have a blue inhaler

If you are having an asthma attack, and are experiencing any of the following symptoms;

• Reliever inhaler is not helping or you need it more than every four hours.
• You are finding it difficult to walk or talk.
• You are finding it difficult to breathe.
• You are wheezing a lot, have a very tight chest or you are coughing a lot.

You should;

1. Sit up straight – try to keep calm.
2. Take one puff of your reliever inhaler every 30-60 seconds, up to a maximum of ten puffs.
3. If you feel worse at any point OR you don’t feel better after ten puffs, call 999 for an ambulance.
4. Repeat step two after 10 minutes while you are waiting for an ambulance.
5. If you do not improve after repeating the second time, ring 999 again immediately.
6. Start steroids if you have a rescue pack at home.
7. Loosen any tight clothing round the neck.

Do not

• Lie down, as this could make your breathing worse.

First Aid during an asthma attack if you are on SMART / MART/ AIR regime and do not have a blue inhaler

1. Sit up – try to keep calm.
2. Take one puff of your MART inhaler every 1 to 3 minutes up to six puffs.
3. If you feel worse at any point OR you do not feel better after six puffs, call 999 for an ambulance.
4. If the ambulance has not arrived after 10 minutes and your symptoms are not improving, repeat step 2.
5. If your symptoms are no better after repeating step 2, and the ambulance has still not arrived, contact 999 again immediately.
6. If you do not have your MART inhaler, call 999 straight away.
7. Start steroids if you have a rescue pack at home.
8. Loosen any tight clothing round the neck.

Do not

• Lie down, as this could make your breathing worse.

General advice

• If you do not have an inhaler, and are experiencing any of the symptoms above, ring 999 for advice.
• Seek medical advice if you do not feel your asthma is improving (as above).
• Make relatives aware of what to do, according to the above information, in case you are unable to call for an ambulance yourself.

What should I do if I am worried about my condition?

If at any point you are concerned, please make an appointment to see your GP.

References and further advice

Asthma and Lung UK (www.asthmaandlung.org.uk)

If you do not hear from the asthma service withing two 14 days of attending the hospital, please scan the QR code below to self-refer. Do not use this QR code if you are unwell. Please follow the advice above for first aid, or ring the asthma team on the below number for non- emergency/non urgent advice

Can I find out more?

If you have any questions, or if there is anything you do not understand about this leaflet, please contact:

Specialist asthma clinic: 01384 244315 Monday – Friday 8am – 6pm

Russells Hall Hospital switchboard number: 01384 456111

If you have any feedback on this patient information leaflet, please email dgft.patient.information@nhs.net

This leaflet can be made available in large print, audio version and in other languages, please call 0800 073 0510.

Originator: Joanne Taylor Date reviewed: June 2025 Next review due: August 2026 Version: 2 DGH ref: DGH/PIL/02008