Acute Asthma

An acute exacerbation of asthma is characterised by a rapid deterioration in the symptoms of asthma

Aetiology

  • Could be triggered by any of the typical asthma triggers, such as infection, exercise or cold weather

Clinical presentation

Symptoms

  • Progressively worsening shortness of breath
  • Tachypnoea

Signs

  • Signs of respiratory distress
  • Expiratory wheeze on auscultation heard throughout the chest
  • The chest can sound 'tight' on auscultation, with reduced air entry

Severity

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Management

Mild

  • Can be managed as an outpatient with regular salbutamol inhalers via a spacer (e.g. 4-6 puffs every 4 hours)

Moderate-severe

  • Oxygen (at least 60%)
  • Salbutamol (neb)
  • Oral prednisolone/IV Hydrocortisone
  • Ipratropium (neb)
  • Theophylline (oral)
  • Magnesium sulphate (IV)
  • An anesthetist (to intubate)