If you are experiencing an asthma attack, it can be difficult to know when to go to the emergency room. Many people worry that they will overreact and end up going when it is not necessary.
However, if you are not sure whether or not you need urgent care, it is always better to be safe than sorry. In this blog post, we will discuss when to go to the ER for asthma and when it is appropriate to seek urgent care instead.
How is asthma considered an emergency?
Asthma emergencies require urgent medical attention, as symptoms can quickly become life-threatening. Asthma attacks usually start with wheezing or coughing, followed by difficulty breathing, chest tightness and/or pain, and a feeling of not being able to get enough air. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to seek urgent care as soon as possible.
How can you distinguish between asthma and anaphylaxis?
Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction and can be life-threatening if not treated right away. It can look similar to an asthma attack, but is usually more severe and can involve hives, swelling of the lips and throat, difficulty breathing, dizziness, lightheadedness, and loss of consciousness. If you are having trouble breathing or signs of anaphylaxis, it is important to seek urgent medical care immediately.
What You Need to Know During a Severe Allergic Asthma Attack
Everyone who suffers from allergic asthma can protect their health by learning the fundamentals of asthma first aid.
Take medication and avoid triggers
It is important to take medicine for asthma and try to avoid things that can make your asthma worse. Taking medicine helps with the attack and staying away from triggers keeps you safe.
Request that someone accompany you
It is also important to have someone accompany you when seeking urgent care. Having that extra support can be helpful in an emergency, and it is always better to err on the side of caution.
Sit up straight and try to stay calm
It is important to maintain an upright position during an asthma attack. Do not fall asleep. It also helps to try to remain calm, as panic can worsen your symptoms. Breathe slowly and steadily.
Continue to use the rescue medication as directed
Use your rescue medication while you wait for treatment if your symptoms are severe. In an emergency, follow the directions supplied by your doctor or pharmacist for using your rescue medication. The maximum dosage will differ depending on the drug.
How Hospitals Treat an Emergency Asthma Attack
You may receive the following treatments if you are hospitalized in an emergency room due to an allergic asthma attack:
- Short-acting beta-agonists, the medications provided in a rescue inhaler and routinely administered via nebulizer, are identical.
- Other kinds of bronchodilators are frequently employed to widen airways and guarantee easy breathing.
- In order to reduce inflammation in the lungs and airways, corticosteroids can be administered orally, by inhalation, or through injection.
- In severe cases, intubation is often utilized to assist in pumping oxygen into the lungs.
Even after your condition stabilizes, your physician may want to keep an eye on you for a few hours in order to guarantee that another asthma attack does not occur.
The time required for recovery from an intense asthmatic episode could range anywhere between several hours and multiple days depending upon the severity of the attack; if there was harm done to your lungs, then long-term rehabilitation might be necessary too.
Managing and Treating Allergic Asthma (Long-term)
As estimated by the Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), about 5-10% of people with asthma will continue to suffer from persistent signs despite ongoing treatments.
Maintaining your treatment program is essential to avoid having asthma symptoms get worse. Even if you are already taking several forms of medication for the condition, including inhaled corticosteroids, oral steroids, and beta-agonist inhalers as prescribed by a doctor – it could mean that more help is needed in managing this chronic illness.
Signs That Alert You to Run to The ER
Here are the signs you need to know:
- Difficulty breathing
- Chest tightness or pain
- Rapid pulse rate
- Wheezing or coughing
- Unusual pale, gray, or blue skin color
- Sweating and anxiety
- Confusion and trouble thinking clearly
- Extreme fatigue
- Low blood pressure
- Loss of consciousness
When should you proceed to urgent care or the ER for asthma in Pearland, Tx?
If your symptoms are severe and not improving with treatment, you should seek urgent care. If the attack is very serious and your breathing is labored, or you have difficulty speaking, you should go to the emergency room right away. Run to Aether Health – SilverLake ER for the best urgent care in Pearland, Texas.
How to Avoid the Hospital If You’re Asthmatic
Avoiding the ER starts with understanding your triggers and following your doctor’s instructions on how to manage them.
You should also:
- Take your prescribed medication regularly
- Have a rescue inhaler in your pocket at all times.
- Wear a medical alert bracelet or necklace
- Avoid smoking, dust, pollen, strong odors
What happens after leaving the hospital?
After you depart the hospital, your doctor will likely recommend that you continue using your rescue inhaler as needed and adhere to your long-term asthma management plan. You may also need additional treatments such as physical or occupational therapy for breathing exercises to help alleviate symptoms and a follow-up appointment with your primary care physician.
It is important to make regular appointments with a primary care physician or specialist to monitor your asthma and any changes in symptoms. With the proper management plan and treatment, you can have better control over your condition and avoid potentially life-threatening situations.
Seek Urgent Care Immediately
Seeking urgent care or going to the ER for an asthma attack can save lives. It is important to be aware of your triggers, take medications as prescribed, and seek medical attention if your symptoms become severe. After leaving the hospital, you should continue to follow up with your doctor and adhere to a long-term management plan in order to better control your asthma and avoid serious complications.
With the right plan in place, you can have a better sense of control over your condition and live life to its fullest potential. If you are experiencing an asthma attack, seek urgent care from Aether Health – SilverLake ER immediately. Your life may depend on it.
REFERENCES:
- Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America. (2021). How Can I Avoid the ER or Hospital with Asthma? Retrieved from https://www.aafa.org/how-can-i-avoid-the-er-or-hospital-with-asthma/
- Mayo Clinic. (2020). Asthma. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/asthma/symptoms-causes/syc-20369653?p=1
- American Lung Association. (2016). When Should I Go to the Emergency Room for Asthma? Retrieved from https://www.lung.org/lung-health-and-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/asthma/living-with-asthma/when-should-i-go-to-theemergencyroom.html?referrer=https://www.google.com/
- Healthline. (2022). Allergic Asthma Attack: When Do You Need to Go to the Hospital? Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/allergic-asthma/when-to-go-to-hospital
- WebMD. (2020). Asthma: Emergency Treatment. Retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/asthma/guide/asthma-emergency-treatment?page=2
- Cleveland Clinic. (2019). Asthma Action Plan: What to Do if You Have an Attack. Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17155-asthma-action-plan
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (2020). Asthma: When to Call Your Healthcare Provider or Go to the Emergency Room. Retrieved from https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/asthma-when-to-call-your-healthcare-provider-or-go-emergencyroom
- U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus. (2019). Asthma Emergency Treatment. Retrieved from https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000836.htm
- American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. (2020). Asthma Emergencies: What to Do if You Have a Severe Attack. Retrieved from https://acaai.org/asthma/asthma-prevention-and-treatment/emergency
