Asthma attacks are alarming—DispatchHealth can help.
Combat your asthma exacerbations with urgent care from DispatchHealth.
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Treating your asthma exacerbations with DispatchHealth
Asthma exacerbations, also known as asthmas attacks, can be a frightening experience. The coughing, loss of breath, and sense of panic combine to create a deeply unsettling medical problem. During an asthma attack, you can benefit from remaining calm, pursing your lips, and assuming the tripod position. In this position, you’ll arch your back in a way that maximizes respiration. During an asthma attack, the last thing you need to worry about is driving to the local urgent care for treatment. Fortunately, DispatchHealth can help. We can come directly to your home to provide treatment for all your asthma-related difficulties. To request at-home, urgent medical care for non-life-threatening situations, use our app, give us a call, or request care on our website.
If this is an emergency, please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Asthma exacerbations: symptoms & treatment
An asthma exacerbation, or asthma attack, is a sudden worsening of asthma symptoms. It can occur seemingly out of nowhere, or be triggered by exercise. The hallmark symptoms include shortness of breath, often described as feeling like trying to breath out of a straw. Coughing, wheezing, and difficulty speaking are also common symptoms.
Medical treatment may be necessary during asthma exacerbations. The most common medical intervention includes the use of a nebulizer and monitoring blood oxygen levels. Depending on the oxygen saturation in the blood, oxygen may be administered in order to keep the patient safe.
If left untreated
Severe asthma attacks can be life threatening. When the lungs are unable to send enough oxygen to the body, patients risk brain damage and even death. Anyone experiencing significant difficulty breathing should be seen by a medical professional. The medical professionals at DispatchHealth can treat your asthma exacerbations. Contact us to learn more.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Phil Mitchell MD, MS on July 24th, 2019