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Emergency asthma treatment: what you need to know
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Asthma attack by Daryl Davis July 21, 2009
Asthma is a long-term chronic respiratory condition in which the lower airway becomes inflamed and narrowed. Barry E. Brenner, MD, says that asthma accounts for almost 2 million ED visits each year in the United States. Once in the emergency department, you can expect a combination of therapies to treat your child's asthma.
Treatment is based on the severity of your child's asthma attack. After checking your child's oxygen level and assessing his respiratory status the health provider may provide supplemental oxygen to increase his oxygen level or to decrease his work of breathing.
Inhaled medications such as albuterol and atrovent are given via a metered dose inhaler (MDI) or nebulized treatments. Treatments may be given every 2 hours to 4 hours or continuously if needed. Heliox (a combination of helium and oxygen) may be given to help oxygen reach the lower airway.
Intravenous medications such as magnesium sulfate, terbutaline, theophylline, and corticosteroids and are given to open and relax the lower airway.
If your child's condition deteriorates and does not respond to the above therapies, he may be intubated (breathing tube inserted).
Diligently sticking to your child's home asthma care regimen (even when he seems well) will help decrease the number of acute asthma attacks your child suffers. If, during an acute attack, your child does not improve after two treatments (or whatever your healthcare provider recommends) or if he worsens, call 911.
For more info: What is Asthma? National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, September, 2008, Asthma: Treatment and Medication
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