Many of us will experience shortness of breath at one point or another, but when exactly does it become necessary to administer first aid for shortness of breath? The first step in understanding shortness of breath is to know why it occurs in the first place. This is important because it permits professionals to know what procedures to carry out as different techniques are specific for the varied causes of shortness of breath. Whichever the cause, it is imperative to call for medical professional help. Before this help arrives, there are various procedures to be followed. Listed below are the things that you ought to do when providing first aid for shortness of breath. The material posted on this page on first aid for shortness of breath is for learning purposes only. To learn to recognize and manage shortness of breath enrol in a first aid course with a credible Canadian provider near you.
First Aid for Shortness of Breath
1) Ensure that the patient remains calm and at rest. The simple reason for doing this is that the more active the patient is, the greater the amount of oxygen used, and the more intensified the shortness of breath becomes.
2) The next step is to allow the victim to be in the position that is ideal for them. Medical professionals will often advise one to go for the tripod style. This style involves sitting on the edge of a seat and allowing the head to tilt forward preferably with the support of the hands.
3) If this does not improve the condition, make sure that you confirm medical help is coming by calling 911, all the while ensuring that the patient remains at rest. The reason why medical help is important is that it could be a sign of impending heart attack or severe lung condition.
4) During the process of first aid for shortness of breath, you may need to use supplemental oxygen. This is necessary for individuals suffering from long-term lung illness. Take note however, that the use of oxygen must be done as directed by the physician.
5) Part of the solution for shortness of breath is to establish whether there are any underlying causes and to deal with the root cause.
What are some of the causes of shortness of breath?
– The obvious cause for this occurs when your body needs more air than it is getting. There are several causes for this, with the leading one been intense exercising. Even though this in itself is not a medical cause for shortness of breath, it is aggravated in patients with pre-existing medical conditions.
– Severe infections within the body have also been known to cause shortness of breath.
– When the body is exposed to sudden shock, one of the ways in which it will respond is by creating demand for more air to facilitate fight or flight mode.
– As mentioned above, one of the symptoms of a heart attack is shortness of breath, making it impossible to take this condition lightly.
At the core of first aid for shortness of breath techniques is the ability to fix the condition by providing additional oxygen as required. In cases where shortness of breath is caused by restricted airflow, the first aid techniques are the same, but with need for proper diagnosis.