• Question: why do you get told to put your head inbetween your knees if you are having an asmtha attack?

    Asked by corriestewart to Hitesh, Hywel, Mae, Nik, Tiffany on 11 Jun 2012.
    • Photo: Tiffany Taylor

      Tiffany Taylor answered on 11 Jun 2012:

      I have grown up with asthma (and I also love to run, so never use it as an excuse), and I have to say I have never done it. But if you have trouble breathing you might begin to feel faint, and if you put your head lower than your heart (for example, between you knees), this will cause more blood to flow to the head and stop you feeling faint. So it’s not only useful if you’re having an asthma attack.

    • Photo: Mae Woods

      Mae Woods answered on 11 Jun 2012:

      Lowering your head is often used to prevent fainting. There is a page on the NHS website that gives steps to carry out when suffering an asthma attack. This is a guideline and does not state to put your head between your knees. Instead it suggests you should use your inhaler and see a doctor urgently if the symptoms persist after 5 minutes

    • Photo: Hitesh Dave

      Hitesh Dave answered on 12 Jun 2012:

      I haven’t heard about putting head in between knees….but I can understand that lowering your head can helps heart works more efficiently..It means your brain and all the other body tissue will get good blood flowing constantly….this will prevent anyone to feeling faint…Though my suggestion is to get your inhaler first and go to doctor if its getting worst…

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