Final answer:
For immediate asthma first aid, assist the individual with their fast-acting inhaler and seek medical help if the attack is severe. Long-term medications are available for ongoing management. Avoiding asthma triggers is also important to prevent future attacks.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first aid action one should take for asthma focuses on helping the individual use their short-term, fast-acting asthma medication, typically administered via an inhaler or a nebulizer for young children or individuals who have difficulty using an inhaler. Symptoms of an asthma attack include coughing, shortness of breath, wheezing, and chest tightness. In the case of a severe asthma attack, where symptoms may include blue lips or face, confusion, drowsiness, rapid pulse, sweating, and severe anxiety, it is critical to seek immediate medical attention.
For ongoing management, there are long-term medications like corticosteroids that help prevent asthma attacks by controlling chronic symptoms. Recognizing and avoiding known asthma triggers can also help prevent attacks. Despite there being no cure for asthma currently, with proper medication and management strategies, symptoms can usually be controlled effectively.