The life of an asthma patient is not the same every day; an asthma attack may occur unexpectedly. It may include coughing, chest tightness, wheezing, and trouble breathing. All of which may be life-threatening if first aid response is not made immediately. To get an overview of the life of an asthma patient, let’s know below how one prepares for a possible asthma attack and how to maintain an active life.
Living with Asthma
People living with asthma may have a slight difference in their day-day activities from someone who does not have it. Different reasons may trigger asthma symptoms, so an asthma attack may occur at any time. Fortunately, you can control this, and an asthma patient may still live an active and healthy life. It may be done by following different regimens in their lifestyle.
An Asthma Patient’s Diet
Like everyone else, an asthma patient’s diet is ideally healthy and well-balanced. However, since some food and food additives may trigger asthma symptoms, an asthma patient may have to avoid eating them.
Food that Triggers Asthma
Below have been found by National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) to be triggers of asthma:
- Dried fruits
- Wine
- Processed potatoes
Asthma patients are advised to avoid this food for they contain sulfites that can worsen asthma symptoms.
Food Allergies that Trigger Asthma
Food allergies are also found to be triggers of an asthma attack. Following are the typical allergy-causing food:
- Peanuts
- Tree nuts
- Eggs
- Shellfish
- Milk
- Soy
- Wheat
It may be helpful for an asthma patient to see a doctor if allergies to any food above are suspected.
An Asthma Patient’s Exercise
Many asthma patients are concerned with physical activity since asthma attacks make it hard to breathe. However, exercise is beneficial to everyone, including asthma patients. A BMJ Open Respiratory Research study showed results where asthma patients who did a higher level of physical activity were able to control their asthma better. Those who exercised for a maximum of 30 minutes per week were 2.5 times better at managing their asthma than those who didn’t. Furthermore, exercising may help achieve the following:
- Keeping the lungs and heart healthy.
- Lowering the risk of diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and cancer.
- Strengthening the bones and muscles.
- Improving the mood.
Exercising helps control asthma and improves an asthma patient’s overall health. Strategies are created according to the asthma patient’s allergens.
An Asthma Patient’s Home Setup
An asthma patient may also take measures to prevent the occurrence of asthma symptoms right inside their homes. As these may be triggered by everyday house items such as:
- Pet dander
- Cleaning agents
- Paint
- Air freshener
- Cigarette smoke
Having someone else use the above may be advised, as they may not be suitable for an asthma patient.
An Asthma Patient’s Work Setup
The workplace may also contain items that trigger asthma symptoms. It may be:
- Carpets
- Dust
- Industrial cleaning chemicals
It may be helpful for an asthma patient to find out which of these items triggers their asthma. Then, find a way to minimize their exposure to it.
An Asthma Patient’s Action Plan
An asthma patient’s action plan includes first aid practices as advised by their doctor. It may consist of the following:
- Take notes of which medications to take as prescribed.
- Know when to take medications and set the alarm.
- Make sure inhalers are filled.
Different types of inhalers are available and may be used as prescribed according to the asthma patient’s situation. Information about these inhalers and their correct usage may be essential to be learned by an asthma patient and their family, as well as knowing what to do during an asthma attack. Such important details are some of the contents of the first aid course for asthma.
Importance of a First Aid Course
First aid is the immediate response to emergencies, one of which is asthma attacks. It may start from mild to life-threatening symptoms, all of which may be treated with an asthma attack first aid. It involves the proper knowledge and skills in responding to asthma attacks. Fortunately, these may be acquired from pieces of first aid training offered by accredited course providers in Perth.
First Aid Course for Asthma
Knowledge and skills about first aid for asthma may be essential for anyone to have. It may be crucial to be learned by an asthma patient, family, relatives, friends, and even in the workplace. So, a course has been designed to cover all important information regarding asthma attack first aid. In Australia, it is the 
22556VIC Course in the Management of Asthma Risks and Emergencies in the Workplace. It is approved by the Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority ACECQA and is accredited by DEECD.
Duration of an Asthma Patient’s First Aid Course
The life of an asthma patient may involve enrolling in an accredited first aid course designed for them. Having someone in the family enrol in the same may also be helpful so they can perform the appropriate first aid steps when an asthma patient experiences attacks. The said course has the following duration:
- 1.5 hours express assessment at your workplace.
- 1-2 hours of pre-course online home study is required.
There is a requirement to complete theory before attending the class.
Cost of Course for Asthma Patients
Prices for an asthma attack first aid course may differ. For instance, this first aid course provider offers the course at the following costs:
- Discount courses from $99 (RRP $99).
- Phone bookings incur an additional surcharge fee of $20.
- An A4 hard copy of your qualification can be posted to you after your class for an additional fee of $15.
- A credit card size plastic card can be posted after your class for an additional fee of $15.
The same company is also offering a price-beat guarantee. They beat a competitor’s price at 10% if terms and conditions are met.
Location of an Asthma Patient’s First Aid Course
Fortunately, first aid courses in Australia are located in almost every city. The course for asthma patients is among the first aid courses in 123C Colin St West Perth 6005. Furthermore, the same provider also offers other first aid courses such as:
HLTAID009 Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation- HLTAID010 CPR Emergency First Aid
- HLTAID011 First Aid Courses
- HLTAID012 Childcare First Aid
- HLTAID014 Advanced First Aid
- BFA Baby Friendly Basic First Aid
- BFA Basic First Aid
- Workplace Training
Such courses may help an enrollee become a certified first aider.
Status of Course for an Asthma Patient
The specific course for asthma patients, 22556VIC Course in the Management of Asthma Risks and Emergencies in the Workplace, supersedes course code 22024VIC.
Modes of Delivery of the Course for an Asthma Patient
This is a regular 3-hour first aid course that comprises the following:
- 1.5 hours per course.
- 15mins pre-course registration.
It may be best to allow 3.25 hours total.
Conclusion
The life of an asthma patient may still be ordinary, like anyone else’s life. It may still be active and healthy, especially if specific changes are made to their diet, exercise, home, work setup, and action plan. This action plan is essential as it contains information to help control asthma. Doing so is possible when asthma attacks occur less often. However, since these may still happen unexpectedly, knowing what to do is important so asthma attacks may be treated. Certain asthma attack first aid knowledge and skills may be acquired by enrolling in the 22556VIC Course in the Management of Asthma Risks and Emergencies in the Workplace. First aid course providers in Perth are offering such.
