MANAGING AN ASTHMA ATTACK AT HOME

(For people aged 12 years and older and adults)

Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease that can cause episodes of shortness of breath, wheezing, and frequent coughing, particularly at night and in the early morning or after exposure to allergens. These episodes are known as acute asthma attacks.

This document provides health education information to help patients and their families recognize the early signs of an acute asthma attack, provide appropriate initial management at home, and know when to seek medical care.

1. SIGNS SUGGESTIVE OF AN ASTHMA ATTACK

A person may be experiencing an asthma attack when one or more of the following symptoms occur:

• Increasing cough compared with usual
• Wheezing or a feeling of chest tightness
• Mild shortness of breath while still able to speak in full sentences
• Becoming easily short of breath during physical exertion

2. MANAGING AN ASTHMA ATTACK AT HOME

When these symptoms occur, the patient should take the following steps:

• Stop the activity, sit upright, remain calm, and avoid exertion.

• IMMEDIATELY move away from asthma triggers (physical exertion, cigarette smoke, dust, furry animals, etc.).

• Use the inhaler as prescribed by the treating physician:

• If using a combination inhaler (containing both controller and reliever medication): take 1–2 puffs when symptoms occur; this may be repeated every 10 minutes (as instructed by the physician).
• If using a reliever inhaler: take 2–4 puffs; this may be repeated every 20 minutes during the first hour.

• Monitor the response during the FIRST HOUR after using the medication:

- If symptoms improve: continue to rest and monitor symptoms at home. Continue taking the prescribed controller medication, and the dose may be increased according to the written asthma action plan provided by the physician.

- If symptoms do not improve after one hour or too many puffs of the reliever inhaler have been used: seek medical attention promptly.

3. WHEN SHOULD YOU SEEK IMMEDIATE MEDICAL CARE?

The patient should go to a hospital or emergency department if any of the following signs occur:

• Rapidly worsening shortness of breath or inability to speak in full sentences
• Rapid breathing, severe fatigue, or dizziness
• Blue lips or fingertips
• No improvement after repeated use of the inhaler

4. PREVENTING RECURRENT ASTHMA ATTACKS

• Use daily controller medication at the prescribed dose and schedule, even when there are no symptoms.

• Do not stop medication without medical advice.

• Avoid asthma triggers such as cigarette smoke, dust, air pollution, and irritating odors.

• Always carry a reliever inhaler when going out.

• Attend regular follow-up appointments to assess asthma control.

This document is intended for health education purposes and is based on recommendations from GINA and the Vietnamese Ministry of Health's Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Bronchial Asthma.