Going to an Emergency Room for Asthma
As a parent, if a child has asthma, you would no doubt like to avoid the ER as much as possible. However, that is not always possible. You want to be able to get to the ER in good time to save your life or of the child if an attack occurs. Here is a bit more about what warrants a visit to an ER such as Frontline ER for an asthma attack.
Ask a friend or relative
If you live with a friend or relative who has known you for a long time, they could help you make the right decision. They can tell better when you are about to experience an asthma attack. In most cases, you should ask a spouse who spends a lot of time with you.
He or she may be able to see those small telltale signs of the onset of an asthma attack. If they can see that you are about to experience an attack, it is best to be on the safe side. Simply get them to drive you to the ER or call a taxi to take you to the ER.
Check the peak flow meter
The peak flow meter is a small device used to measure the rate at which you breathe out air. Ensure that you check this flow rate daily. You will have a baseline from which to operate, which is the highest flow rate you have ever reached. If you find your flow rate to be between 80-100%, everything is fine.
However, you may find that you are blowing out air at only around 60% in some cases. In such a case, use the inhaler and then wait for about 20 minutes. Blow into the peak flow meter again and if the figure is still at 60% of your optimal flow rate, you need to start packing for the ER.
You are using the inhaler too much
There is a recommended rate at which you should use the inhaler per day. However, if you find yourself using the inhaler more than you should, consider visiting the ER. This may be an indication that an attack is on the way and that the inhaler will eventually stop working. Get a colleague to drive you to the ER if you are at work. It is always important to have someone you can contact if you feel an attack is on the way so that he or she can get you to the ER.
You begin second-guessing yourself
If you find yourself, second-guessing whether you really need the ER or not, you need to go to the ER. An asthma attack is no joke and those around you may not be able to do much for you. Thus, if you find yourself unsure whether what you are feeling is the onset of an attack or not, it is better to find out when you are in the ER.
What to do when you are sure it is asthma attack?
Just before you leave, ensure that you carry all your asthma medication with you. Although the medication may not have worked immediately, it may kick in as you are on the way to the ER. It is quite uncommon to die of an asthma attack early on in the attack. However, if you are already experiencing advanced respiratory failure, it might be a recipe for disaster.
It is important to know of some ERs that are close to home. If you have severe asthma, ensure that you know the locations of the various ERs in the area you are travelling. Besides that, think of the finances, if you visit an ER that is out of network, without the approval of your doctor, you may incur huge charges. However, that is not something you need to be thinking about during an emergency. Most insurers will accept to pay if you prove that you were having an asthma attack emergency.
What happens in the ER?
At the ER, the doctor will place you on oxygen, a nebulizer treatment, and probably inject you with corticosteroids. In some cases, you may get an epinephrine injection too. You will also get about 3 treatments of nebulized bronchodilator before being sent home. If there is no improvement after a few hours, you have to be hospitalized.
What to expect at the Frontline ER
At Frontline ER, you can expect to be treated in a professional manner. Serious cases such as an asthma attacks will always get priority. Qualified medical experts who have years working in the ER will attend to you.
They will perform all the necessary tests to determine what may be the issue. In some cases, you might have an added complication such as air in the chest, which is only recognized using modern equipment. If you ever need to use an ER, you should consider visiting Frontline ER. You will get access to modern and efficient emergency medical care.
