Asthmatic status

Asthmatic status is a pathological condition of asthma that creates a real threat to life. It is a severe asthma attack that is not stopped by the usual set of medications (inhaled bronchodilators) and which causes the appearance of symptoms of respiratory failure. Asthmatic status requires immediate medical attention. It is important to understand and realize the potential threat of asthmatic status, to carry out its prevention in the early stages.

Characteristic for asthmatic status are symptoms such as the inability to negotiate a sentence to the end, shortness of breath, not even passing in peace. There may be a feeling of chest compression, the appearance of blue circles around the lips. There may also be a feeling of confusion, anxiety, inability to concentrate. To facilitate breathing, the patient strains strongly the muscles of the neck and abdomen. The person starts to sit down or get up, stoop to find a comfortable breathing posture. All this is typical for the first manifestations of respiratory failure.

Asthmatic status, unlike asthma, may not be accompanied by wheezing and coughing. This condition causes significant airway damage, in which a lack of air (both inhaled and exhaled) does not cause the occurrence of a cough or wheezing.

Before occurrence of the asthmatic status often there are warning signs. Although sometimes it happens very quickly and then develops into choking. According to some modern studies, such patients do not sufficiently protect themselves from exposure to allergens at home or at work. They rarely use a pneumotachometer and take inhaled glucocorticoids. Inhaled steroids are modern anti-inflammatory drugs that are very effective in reducing inflammatory reactions in the airways.

The reasons for the development of asthmatic status are still unknown.

To diagnose "asthmatic status," the physician should conduct a general examination, during which it is determined how the auxiliary muscles for breathing are used. The doctor should also check the pulse, the frequency of breathing, the presence of wheezing on inhalation and exhalation. In addition, additional functional tests can be used to assess the performance of the respiratory system: a test for oxygenation of the blood with oxygen, a maximum expiratory flow rate. Then examinations and other organs are performed: the oral cavity, the throat, the upper respiratory tract, the thorax.

Unfortunately, the usual use of inhalers does not respond to asthmatic status. Treatment usually needs to be done with regular use of aerosols and parenteral administration of drugs such as prednisolone and epinephrine. Parenteral administration of terbutaline, magnesium sulfate (for relaxation of the airways muscles) and leukotriene inhibitors (anti-inflammatory drugs) is also used.

The treatment of asthmatic status, which does not respond to the medications used in asthma, should be performed in the hospital, as it may require artificial ventilation. After the acute attack passes, the lung capacity is restored. However, the need to stay in the intensive care unit is not lost.

In order that the need for urgent hospitalization does not arise, you must immediately begin treatment, as soon as the first minor signs of the disease. In the presence of asthma, you should regularly be examined by a doctor: he will check the lung function and prescribe the necessary medications.