Without trying to frighten anyone, it is wise to remember that asthma attacks can be fatal. Memorise or write down your child’s asthma plan so that you know automatically what the next step is.

It is important that an attack is not for granted - even mild asthmatics can have severe attacks. If your child has an increase in asthma symptoms over a period of a few hours or days and needs increasing amounts of reliever medication to ease the asthma symptoms then this is the time to visit the doctor.

Asthma can deteriorate quite quickly if you ignore the warning signs. If your child requires reliever medication every four hours or less, then NOW is the time to take action - they need to get medical help. When reliever medication is needed this often asthma does not get better by itself and steroids are required to stabilise the condition.

An early visit to a doctor will mean that in the long run less medication will be required. Going to the doctor when reliever is required six times a day may mean a stronger inhaled steroid for a period of time or a very short course of oral steroids. Waiting until you are taking reliever twenty times a day may mean nebulisers, hospitalisation and a much longer course of oral steroids.

Call an ambulance if you are worried about the time it will take to get to the hospital or concerned about driving them yourself.

Just like asthmatics of all ages, children will be very distressed and anxious because they are having great difficulty in breathing. They will be gasping for air and have difficulty speaking. Their lips and other extremities such as fingers and toes may go blue as oxygen levels drop.

Studies have shown that reliever medication given two puffs at a time through a spacer or aerochamber works as effectively as that given through a nebuliser for most people, most of the time. It is easier to take medication this way than using the inhaler directly into the mouth. Reliever medication can be given quite safely two - four puffs every five minutes this way while you wait for the ambulance to arrive.

No matter how frightened you feel, remain calm and encourage your child to keep still and to stay calm because anxiety will only increase the breathing rate and make matters worse.

Copyright © 1999, Buteyko Asthma Management. All rights reserved. 
This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional

medical advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat

a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare

provider. Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or 

concerns you may have regarding your condition.