Plan for It: Respiratory Distress & How to Respond

If someone around you displays signs of respiratory distress, will you know what to do? Before an emergency happens, plan for it.

Know the Signs of Respiratory Distress

Many people who suffer respiratory distress exhibit signs they’re having to work harder to breathe or not getting enough oxygen. Look out for these symptoms.

• Increased breathing rate. When people have trouble breathing, they may take more breaths per minute to compensate.

• Nose flaring. If a person opens their nostrils wider with each breath, this could indicate he or she is having to work harder to breathe.

• Color changes. If you see a bluish color around someone’s mouth, on the inside of their lips, or on the fingernails, he or she may not be getting enough oxygen. The color of the person’s face could also appear pale or gray.

• Grunting. Sometimes, you may hear a person in respiratory distress make a grunting noise during each exhale. This sound is the body’s way of trying to keep air in the lungs.

• Sweating. Victims of respiratory distress may have sweat on their heads while their skin feels cool or clammy to the touch. This can happen when the breathing rate is very fast.

• Wheezing. If you hear a tight, whistling sound with each breath, this could indicate the air passages may be tighter than usual.

• Retractions. A retraction is when a person’s chest appears to sink in under the breastbone or under the neck with each breath. This is one way the body brings more air into the lungs. It can also be seen under the rib cage or in the muscles between the ribs.

What to Do if Someone Stops Breathing

If you’re with someone who’s in respiratory distress, call 911 and a professional can assess the situation and recommend next steps. In general, you can plan on the following:

• If the person is not making sounds, this indicates they are choking. In this instance, you can begin the Heimlich maneuver.

• If the person is not choking but stops breathing or falls unconscious, begin administering CPR.

• If you suspect anaphylaxis from allergies, administer epinephrine and head to the emergency room immediately.

• If the person has a known breathing condition, help the victim take his or her prescribed inhaler or medication and head to the emergency room.

CHI St. Luke’s Health Emergency Services has both hospital and freestanding ERs throughout the Greater Houston area to best serve our community. Find a location near you to know where to go when minutes matter.

Sources:
Signs of Respiratory Distress
Respiratory Problems