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Attention, chocolate lovers: You may not be able to help yourselves. Swiss and British scientists have linked the widespread love of chocolate to a chemical "signature" that may be programmed into our metabolic systems.
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First Aid for Difficulty Breathing

Treatment & Monitoring

What are the treatments for the injury?

First aid is the most common treatment for someone having difficulty breathing.

Assist the person in using oxygen or an inhaler for lung disease, if appropriate.

Check for signs of circulation, such as normal breathing, coughing, or movement in response to stimulation.

Contact the emergency medical system immediately.

Start cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR, if the person stops breathing. Use 15 chest compressions for every 2 mouth-to-mouth rescue breaths.

Stay with the person until medical assistance arrives.

Assume there may be other injuries if wounds are bad enough to injure the chest. Do not allow the person to move around. Try to firmly support the injured area without moving the head, neck, or spine. In some instances, to help a person breathe, the head and back may need to be moved. Maintaining an open airway and keeping the person breathing is most important.

If bubbles appear in the wound, there is probably an injury to the lung. Bandage the wound at once.

Bandage the wound with something that will not allow air into the wound if bubbles appear or there is a "sucking" sound. Plastic wrap or a plastic bag will work. Air needs to escape through the wound, so leave one corner open. The best way to seal the bandage is with petroleum jelly around three sides, leaving one corner free.

Do not let the person eat or drink anything.

Try not to move the person, and obtain medical assistance as soon as possible.

What are the side effects of the treatments?

If the person has suffered a major injury, treating his or her breathing problem may cause an injury to some other organ. Helping the person breath may cause further injuries to the neck or back. Maintaining an open airway and keeping the person breathing is most important.

What happens after treatment for the injury?

A person who has difficulty breathing should carry a medical identification tag listing his or her existing medical conditions. He or she should keep a medication list handy. Any medications required for immediate help should be carried at all times.

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