Dr Ellie says to avoid using brown bags for asthma attacks
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When it comes to health, Jayne Torvill – who is accustomed to winning gold at the Winter Olympics – is not able to defeat asthma. The life-long condition has affected Jayne since her late 20s, which were triggered by her passion for ice skating. In a candid interview to the Mirror in 2017, Jayne revealed: “I started to have sporadic attacks and found skating brought it on.”
Asthma attacks
The NHS warned: “Asthma attacks kill three people in the UK each day.”
People who have asthma are strongly advised to visit their doctor or asthma nurse annually to discuss their treatment plan.
Many deaths could be avoided if you’re on the correct asthma treatment.
Signs of an asthma attack
- Your symptoms are getting worse (cough, breathlessness, wheezing or tight chest)
- Your reliever inhaler (usually blue) is not helping
- You’re too breathless to speak, eat or sleep
- Your breathing is getting faster and it feels like you cannot catch your breath
- Your peak flow score is lower than normal
- Children may also complain of a tummy or chest ache.
“The symptoms will not necessarily occur suddenly,” the NHS made clear.
“In fact, they often come on slowly over a few hours or days.”
What to do during an asthma attack
- Sit upright
- Take slow, steady breaths
- Try to remain calm
- Take one puff of your (usually blue) inhaler
You can take one puff of your inhaler every 30 to 60 seconds, up to a maximum of 10 puffs.
I don’t have my inhaler or it’s not making me feel better
- Call 999 for an ambulance.
“If your symptoms improve and you do not need to call 999, get an urgent same-day appointment to see a GP or asthma nurse,” the NHS added.
People who are on a SMART or MART treatment must ask their GP what to do if they have an asthma attack.
Those with asthma are advised to identify their triggers.
Recalling her own asthma attack, Jayne said: “I was suffering badly with hay fever and the pollen count was particularly high when I suddenly began to wheeze.
“I had shortness of breath, a tightness in my chest and I was gasping for air.”
Triggers might include dust mites, pet fur, medication; the charity Asthma UK elaborated: “An asthma trigger is anything that irritates your airways and sets off your asthma symptoms.”
Other possible triggers may include: pollution, sex, and alcohol.
As for Jayne, who admitted that skating brought on her asthma, she has continued to be involved in the sport she so dearly loves.
Now firmly behind the judging panel, instead of on the ice, rest assured that while Jayne can not beat asthma, she can manage it.
Meanwhile, for 2022, the celebrity line-up for Dancing On Ice includes the likes of The Pussycat Dolls singer Kimberly Wyatt and rugby player Ben Foden.
Dancing On Ice will air on Sunday, January 23 at 6.30pm on ITV.
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