Emergencies
First Aid for Breathing Problem
A breathing problem is indicative of respiratory distress and can manifest itself in many ways. Some victims describe it as a sudden shortness of breath, inability to take a deep breath, gasping for air or feeling like they are not getting enough air. Difficulty in breathing is often referred to Dyspnea and giving first aid helps ease this breathing problem in a timely manner, before it causes more distress to the person.
Cause for alarm: determining a breathing problem
If one suffers shortness of breath after a round of regular exercise or climbing stairs, it is perfectly normal and is not always a medical emergency. However, if there is previous history of illness, infections like pneumonia, acute bronchitis, whooping cough, or epiglottises or possible heart disease, asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis or even heart failure, it can result in sudden breathing problems. Other causes include injury to the neck, chest wall or lungs; a collapsed lung occurs if the victim has emphysema or asthma, but is also known to happen spontaneously in young, healthy people. Being at high altitudes is another reason for causing breathing problem in young and old people. Cigarette smoking or breathing secondhand smoke and pulmonary embolism, or a blood clot in the lung can cause very abrupt and severe difficulty breathing too. Sometimes, this breathing problem can develop into a life-threatening allergic reaction, if left untreated. This is why proper and timely first aid helps save lives in the event of a breathing problem.
Understanding the gravity of the situation: breathing problems and disorders
Close to 44 million Americans suffer allergies and asthma-related breathing problems and still many thousands have breathing difficulties due to gray, gritty smog and air polluted by poorly tuned engines and cigarette smoke emitted by people around them. Those allergic to some types of shellfish, nuts, medications and insect bites can suffer an allergic reaction called anaphylactic shock; reactions beginning within minutes of exposure to the allergy-causing substance. This kind of breathing problem causes the victim’s airways to narrow, making it difficult to breathe while the heartbeat races and blood pressure drops. This situation can be fatal and the shock can kill a person if he/she is not treated within 15 minutes.
- Call emergency medical service or 911.
- Help person get into a comfortable position and loosen constricting clothing.
- Give person CPR, if trained to do so and keep victim calm till paramedics arrive.
Preventive measures: how to avoid breathing problems
Persons aware of a breathing problem need to avoid exposure to allergic substances or agents that induce asthma, if they suffer from it. Common sense measures to keep breathing problems at bay include avoiding walking, running or jogging on roads with heavy automobile traffic that yield toxic gases. Those possessing a gas furnace need to have it checked once a year for carbon monoxide leaks. Being careful about never leaving the car running in a closed garage helps prevent any mishap due to carbon monoxide poisoning, which is a strong possibility.