Causes, Risk Factors, and Complications of Severe Acute Asthma

This article provides information on the causes, risk factors, and complications of severe acute asthma. It discusses the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment options for this condition. It also highlights the clinical manifestations and preventive measures for asthma.

A
Influences
Results in
Is caused by Manifest as
Can help to prevent
MANA
Helps Predict
Precipitating factors
 Environmental
factors
 Allergens
 Exercise,
chemicals,
stress on
emotional upset
and
medications
 Atmospheric
pollutants
Predisposing factors
 Genetics
 Race
 Age
 Gender
Severe Acute Asthma:
Asthma in a person for a long duration of time
can turn into severe acute asthma. In this, there
are high levels of breathing difficulties in the
patient due to blockage in lungs airway.
This can lead to various attacks or the patient’s
health can become worse. Heart rates can
shoot up to 130-150 bets per minute and
respiratory rates can reach 30-35 breaths in a
minute. Overall, asthma can be a life-
threatening disease.
Prognosis
 Asthma is a chronic
disease with several
number of symptoms.
 It flares up for a longer
time period.
 It also needs a life long
treatment that are meant to
control its symptoms.
 Pharmacologic
 Inhaled corticosteroids
 Long acting
bronchodilators
 Theophylline
 Leukotriene modifiers
 Use of antibodies and
anti-immunoglobulin
(IgE)
 Ipratropium
 Bronchodilator therapy
 Anticholinergics
Non-
pharmacologic
 Determination of
level of disease
in patient
 Education of
patient to care
for self
 Diet and
Nutrition
 Intervention and
reduction of bad
habits
Surgical treatment
 Bronchial asthma resection
of laryngeal nerve(ib-SLN).
 Ipratropium
 Bronchial thermoplasty.
Complications
 Underperformance
 Permanent lung damage
 High level of fatigue
 Regular visits to hospital
 Asthmatic attacks/ asthmaticus
 Pneumonia
 Failure of respiratory system
 Lung collapse
Prevention
 Avoid smoking
 Avoiding cold
 Getting flu vaccine
 Making an allergy proof
environment to avoid
allergens and triggers
RISK FACTORS
Modifiable
 Allergies
 Smoking
 Air pollution
 Obesity
 Viral
respiratory
infections
Non-modifiable
 Family
history of
asthma
 Atopy
being a
genetic
tendency
of getting
sensitive
towards
common
allergies,
involving
asthma.
 Childhood
asthma.
Diagnoses
 Medical examination of
patient through analysis
of synptoms
 Study of diagnosis
 Chest X-ray (this will
show inflammation of
blockage of airway)
 Examination through
spirometry (to ascertain
breathing noise and rate,
functioning of lungs)
 Challenge test
 Exhaled citric oxide test
 Blood tests
 CT scan of lungs
 Phlegm examination in
lungs
Can cause of
Diagno
Determ
6,7,9
3,6,9
1,8
4,8,10,6
6,7
7,6
7
8,9
2
6,7,8
5,8,9 5,8,9
PATHOGENESIS
Aetiology:
 Bacterial infection
 Allergen exposure
 Defective anti-viral
immunity
 Pollutants
 Inflammation
 Airway constriction
Clinical manifestations:
 Wheezing/shortness
of breath
 Pain in chest and
tightness
 Coughing attacks
 High heart and
respiratory rate
 Irregular blood
pressure
 Anxiety attacks
 Inability to talk
continuously
 Blue lips and pale
face
 Lack of oxygen
supply to lungs
Course of severe acute asthma
With treatment- Asthma attacks can be
significantly reduced. Respiratory and
heart rates can become normal. Overall
control on breathing can be regained.
Without treatment- Extreme shortness of
breath, coughing fits and high death rates .