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By: Ikedi Ani-okoye

Breathing difficulties

Breathlessness occurs in healthy people as a normal response to exercising, but it can also be a symptom of many diseases, including chronic conditions such as asthma and emphysema. Breathing difficulty should always be taken seriously especially if it starts suddenly. Even young, fit people can be affected by conditions that cause breathing difficulty such as a collapsed lung (pneumothorax), or a clot in the lung (pulmonary embolus). These conditions can be life-threatening, so prompt recognition and medical treatment are very important.

Action for breathing difficulty

Even if you do not know the cause of the breathing difficulty, act as follows:
-Sit the sufferer upright and supported. -If they are on medication for breathing problems, get them to take it. -Loosen clothing around she neck. -Try to keep the sufferer calm.- If the breathing does not return to normal, seek medical attention.

Asthma

At least 5 per cent of people suffer from chronic, lifelong asthma. Asthma is a condition in which the airways become narrowed and blocked with secretions. Asthmatics typically suffer from repeated attacks of wheezing and breathlessness. People with diagnosed asthma may use a Believing" inhaler (usually blue) for immediate relief and a"prentive" inhaler (usually brown or red) for longer-term treatment and prevention. There are also combined inhalers. Other inhaler colours include green and orange. A casualty should know which inhaler to use during an attacks.

Causes of asthma

Asthma tends to be triggered by factors that differ between individuals. Sufferers are often allergic to pollen, animals, dust, smoke, air pollution, foods or drugs. Asthma attacks may also be triggered by viral infections, exercise, certain chemicals, stress or intense emotions.

Dealing with hyperventilation

Rapid breathing or over-breathing, also known as hyperventilation, is often caused by anxiety. It differs from breathing difficulty in that the sufferer has some control over the situation, although they may not feel this. Hyperventilation causes tingling in she extremities and around the mouth, dizziness, chest pains and cramps. These symptoms make the sufferer feel even more anxious, and so they over-breathe even more.

The symptoms are caused by a lack of carbon dioxide, which the sufferer is breathing out at a very fast rate. A vicious circle ensues, with more armies developing as she hyperventilation worsens. Eventually, if the sufferer does not stop over-breathing, they faint, and the body resumes a normal breaching pattern. Hyperventilation can be a feature of phobias and panic atcacks, both of which can be treated by psychologists.

What to do

Calm the sufferer and get them to breathe into and o ut of a paper bag. This allows them to breathe in exhaled carbon dioxide and will ease symptoms. For recurring attacks, treatment should be sought.