On average 3 families will be devastated from losing a loved one today due to an asthma attack. There are 5.4 million people in the UK currently receiving treatment for asthma: 1.1 million children and 4.3 million adults and the prevalence has thought to have plateaued since the late 1990’s.
Asthma is regarded by many as a common condition however many are not always aware that it can be fatal and underestimate the condition when it presents.
Asthma deaths in England and Wales since 2001
| Year | Age 0-14 | Age 15+ | Total |
| 2001 | 27 | 1241 | 1268 |
| 2002 | 23 | 1241 | 1264 |
| 2003 | 22 | 1262 | 1284 |
| 2004 | 38 | 1205 | 1243 |
| 2005 | 24 | 1162 | 1186 |
| 2006 | 33 | 1049 | 1082 |
| 2007 | 19 | 1014 | 1033 |
| 2008 | 23 | 1048 | 1071 |
| 2009 | 12 | 1006 | 1018 |
| 2010 | 15 | 1007 | 1022 |
| 2011 | 15 | 1026 | 1041 |
| 2012 | 17 | 1109 | 1126 |
| 2013 | 27 | 1086 | 1113 |
| 2014 | 24 | 1090 | 1114 |
| 2015 | 18 | 1284 | 1302 |
| 2016 | 13 | 1224 | 1237 |
| 2017 | — | — | 1320 |
Asthma deaths in Scotland since 2001
| Year | Age 0-14 | Age 15+ | Total |
| 2001 | 1 | 100 | 101 |
| 2002 | 4 | 127 | 131 |
| 2003 | 3 | 95 | 98 |
| 2004 | 1 | 93 | 94 |
| 2005 | 2 | 98 | 100 |
| 2006 | 2 | 80 | 82 |
| 2007 | 2 | 110 | 112 |
| 2008 | 4 | 99 | 103 |
| 2009 | 1 | 92 | 93 |
| 2010 | 1 | 90 | 91 |
| 2011 | 3 | 91 | 94 |
| 2012 | 3 | 86 | 89 |
| 2013 | 3 | 102 | 105 |
| 2014 | 2 | 70 | 72 |
| 2015 | 3 | 119 | 122 |
| 2016 | 1 | 132 | 133 |
| 2017 | — | — | 126 |
https://www.asthma.org.uk/about/media/facts-and-statistics/
What is Asthma
Asthma is a long term condition that affects your airways when you come into contact with what is known as a trigger factor. There are lots of trigger factors such as:
- Allergies to pollen, dust mites, animal fur or feathers
- environments and pollutants
- some foods and even fragrances
- Stress and Anxiety
- Exercise,
- Weather such as sudden changes in temperature
- Infection
Muscles surrounding the wind pipes in the lungs go into spasm, constrict and become clogged with sticky mucus in response to the triggers, making it very difficult for the person to breathe.
Recognition of an Asthma Attack:
- Difficulty in breathing
- Wheezing
- Breathless, unable to speak
- Use of muscles in the neck and upper chest when breathing
- Grey or blue lips/fingers if attack is severe
- Exhaustion, dizziness
- Going unconscious and could stop breathing in a prolonged attack
What to do in an Asthma Attack
- Sit up, lean on a table or chair if required, don’t lie down
- Help the casualty to use their reliever inhaler, usually blue in colour they should take one puff of their reliever inhaler every 30-60 seconds, up to a maximum of 10 puffs.
- Call 999 if they are not responding or not feeling better after using their inhaler
- Be calm and reassuring
- Encourage them to take their blue inhaler again after 15 minutes.
If you’re waiting for the ambulance for longer than 15 minutes, take one puff every 30-60 seconds, up to a maximum of 10 puffs.
Important: This asthma attack information is NOT for people on a SMART or MART regime. If you are on a SMART or MART regime, speak to your GP or asthma nurse to get the right asthma attack advice for you.
Should you have employees with Asthma then ensure that your organisation has trained first aiders who have attended a First Aid at Work Course. Not sure on your first aid requirements? Make use our first aid needs assessment tool here.
Essential 6 supplies First Aid Training across the UK on companies sites and also at our training centres in Torquay and Exeter. Click here for available courses in First Aid.
