A severe asthma attack or status asthmaticus is categorized as a dangerous health problem that may lead to a life-threatening condition and need immediate medical assistance. Those with this asthma attack may not respond well to immediate care. Experts have no clear clue about the main cause of the attack, but we know that untreated asthma symptoms may lead to acidosis, carbon dioxide retention, hypoxia, and finally respiratory fail that also the sign of status asthmaticus.
There are several symptoms that start to rising in people with the asthma attack including bluish tint to your lips as a result of oxygen deficiency, severe and persistent breathlessness even while lying down, chest pain, persistent shortness of breath that causing inability to speak normally in full sentences, inability to concentrate, confusion, and agitation. Please note that those asthma symptoms may also relate to other health problem, so it’s very important to visit your doctor whenever you experience one or more of the symptoms above.
Two types of severe asthma attack
According to patient.co.uk, generally there are two main types of the attack, the gradual or slow onset and the sudden onset. The gradual onset commonly develops as the respond of inadequate treatments. Those with this gradual onset will experience days or week of the severe asthma attack symptoms. Base on a resource, about 80 percent of sufferers experience the attack within 48 hours.
The sudden onset commonly associates with sudden and excessive onset to certain allergens. Most of the sufferers of this attack are older and the onset starts to rising between midnight and 8 am. According to webmd.com, the attack is connected to a swifter response to therapy and neutophilic inflammation.
Severe asthma attack treatments
Asthma inhaler doesn’t work to this type of asthma onset. Health practitioners more focus on prevention on order to avoid the severe attack. Often, regular injection of drugs such as corticosteroids and epinephrine combined with asthma nebulizer are administered to the patients to stop the status asthmaticus. Besides those treatments, other medication including leukotriene inhibitors, magnesium sulfate and tributaline injections are common to treat this condition.
During the attack, certain medical tools and treatment may be applied to the patient. A mechanical ventilator may be used to assist the respiratory muscles and the lungs. Oxygen may be applied through breathing tube or a facemask that will remove once the attack is gone. To monitor the patient’s health status, most of people with this life-threatening are need to be hospitalized in an intensive care unit.
If you have signs and symptoms of asthma, meet your doctor regularly and stick to the prescribed medication from your doctor. By monitoring your health condition and stick to the treatment plan you will be far away from a severe asthma attack.
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