Oxygen during an asthma attack - common procedure?

Question

When having a bad asthma attack, the paramedics were called. I can't remember if they put the oxygen meter on my finger, but as they were getting equipment ready, one of them asked me if I wanted oxygen. Does that mean my oxygen levels were low? Or is this a common procedure with any attack?

Answer 1

Typically EMTs and Paramedics are trained to give just about anyone oxygen - whether they need it or not, because it does help to stave off some of the anxiety of the situation (which there will be - someone called 911).  In the case of an asthma attack, there can be a reduced amount of oxygen reaching the lungs due to constriction and spasm of the airways - the idea is that if you increase the amount of oxygen going in, even if there is a reduced volume of air passing through, there will be more oxygen to cross into the lungs.  In most cases, the oxygen level remains normal for some time, until the individual having the attack tires out from working to breath so hard.  So yes, it does have some utility - but ultimately the fix is steroids to reduce the inflammation and a bronchodilator (beta-2 agonist) like albuterol or xopenex to relax the constriction of smooth muscles in your airway.

I would say it was common procedure in your case.  Hope this helped!