Acute Severe Asthma: Aetiology, Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention

Acute severe asthma is a condition where the body becomes unresponsive towards corticosteroids and bronchodilators. It manifests as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease due to airway limitation. The aetiology of acute asthma includes atopic and non-atopic responses to allergens and food allergens. The pathogenesis involves bronchial hyperresponsiveness and chronic inflammation. Diagnosis is done through peak flow and spirometry tests. Treatment options include bronchodilators, anticholinergics, corticosteroids, and magnesium sulphate. Nursing and non-pharmacotherapy options include oxygenation and avoiding triggers. The course of the disease involves permanent structural changes and hyperinflated lung fields. Asthma later develops into COPD. Prevention involves monitoring asthma through peak flow monitors, avoiding dust and pollution, and using inhalers.

Acute Severe Asthma
Aetiology
 Genetic disorder related
to autoimmune disease
 Inhalation of allergens
 Food allergens [8]
Atopic Non-atopic
non-IgE
response to
ingestion of food
allergens [9]
Pathogenesis
Intermittent air flow obstruction
[3]
Bronchial hyper-
responsiveness [4]
Chronic
inflammation
permanent structural
changes hyper inflated
lung fields [5]
 airway
diameter
 response to
therapy
antigen/trigger exposure airway
inflammation [2]
Treatment
Bronchodilator
β2
antagonist/Salbutamol
Anticholinergic
Ipratropium bromide
Anti-inflammatory/
LABA
Corticosteroids
Magnesium sulphate
Pharmacothera
py
Nursing & non-
pharmacothera
py
Oxygenation for
SaO2>92%
Diagnosis
Peak flow, spirometry
[6]
mild/
moderate
severe/life-
threatening
Wheezing sound [7]
Acute Non-
acute
Course of
the
Disease
Prognosi
s Preventio
n
Lungs gets affected
[10]
Asthma later develops
into COPD [11]
Motoring asthma
though the
usage of peak
flow monitor,
avoiding dust
and pollution,
using inhaler
[12]
Acute asthma is the condition where body becomes
unresponsive towards the corticosteroids and
bronchodilators [1]
airway limitation  manifests
as Chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease

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