When talking about asthma exacerbation, first, we must understand what asthma is. The condition is a chronic respiratory problem that develops as a narrowing of the airways, which also becomes inflamed. In that sense, asthma exacerbations are episodes where the symptoms worsen or even cause new symptoms to develop. Often, these exacerbations or asthma attacks happen without any apparent warning signs.
If you are interested in chronic care management for patients, especially asthma management, this article will help you better understand the nature of asthmatic coughs and asthma attacks and may help you react better if you encounter an asthma attack in the future.
About Acute Asthma Exacerbations
Asthma attacks can be described as the progressive worsening of asthma symptoms, like wheezing, asthma, coughs, and shortness of breath. During an attack, these symptoms may increase to the point that the patient may need to change their treatment plan or start using different inhalers for asthma.
It’s important to remember that acute asthma exacerbations differ from hard-to-control asthma. In the latter case, providers may use diurnal variability to measure the lowest and the highest scores on the so-called peak expiratory flow rate test, which plays a crucial role in determining the best method for efficient asthma management. Patients with difficult-to-control asthma might have diurnal variability changes; during an asthma attack, variability may not change at all.
Symptoms of Asthma Exacerbation
Asthma attacks usually occur in people with severe asthma and specific triggers. For instance, viral respiratory infections are the most prevalent triggers in children and adults, such as the A and C subtypes of the human rhinovirus.
Still, respiratory infections won’t automatically mean that people will experience an asthma attack. There can be several triggers for asthma exacerbation, including the following:
- Allergies
- Bacterial infections
- Allergen exposure
- Tobacco smoke, particulate matter, and other airborne pollutants
- Defective antiviral immunity
- Occupational exposures
Again, the symptoms of an asthma attack may include the following:
- Chest tightness
- Agitation
- Wheezing
- Breathlessness
- Asthma cough
- Increased pulse
- Decreased lung function
- Increased respiratory rate
Who’s at Risk?
Unfortunately, anyone who deals with asthma is also at risk of acute asthma attacks. The risks are usually more considerable if the patient has had at least one attack before, and it was severe enough that it ended up in a visit to the ER. Other risk factors may include the following:
- Experiencing sudden attacks
- Using more than two rescue inhalers for asthma monthly
- Smoking
- Having other chronic conditions
- Misusing or not using your asthma medication as instructed
- Having respiratory infections
Diagnosing Acute Asthma Exacerbation
If you’ve already had such an asthma attack, recognizing the symptoms won’t be difficult, and your doctor will also be able to establish a diagnosis quickly.
If this were your first asthma attack, your provider would take the time to learn more about your medical history with a particular focus on your history of asthma. To properly diagnose the condition, they will probably perform a physical exam and a series of lung function tests.
Typically, here are the tests that providers may perform to assess overall lung function:
Peak Flow Test
This test measures how fast the patient can exhale. To get an accurate reading, the patient blows into a mouthpiece as hard as they can. These tests are convenient as they can also be used at home.
Nitric Oxide Test
The patient breathes into a mouthpiece that measures their breath’s nitric oxide concentration. High levels will usually mean that the bronchial tubes have become inflamed.
Spirometry
Your provider may use a spirometer that measures how fast you are able to inhale and exhale. The tests are able to determine how much air your lungs are capable of holding.
Blood Oxygen Level Tests
During severe asthma attacks, providers may also measure blood oxygen levels with a pulse oximeter. These devices are placed on the end of the patient’s finger and will show the measurements within a few seconds.
Treating Asthma Attacks
Fortunately, in most cases, acute asthma exacerbations can be managed by visiting your doctor or even at home. That said, it’s essential to develop an asthma management plan with your provider that can address acute attacks and symptoms even at home.
Still, it’s important to know that acute and severe attacks may often result in ER trips, where treatment may include:
- Oxygen administration
- Administering corticosteroids
- Inhaling beta-2 agonists
Also, acute asthma exacerbations will require close medical monitoring. This means that your provider may repeat some diagnostic tests and that you won’t be able to leave the ER until your lungs work properly. Also, following the attack, you might need to continue taking corticosteroids for a few days and schedule a few follow-up appointments to ensure everything’s good.
Assessing Outlook
The majority of patients with asthma will have no significant trouble managing their symptoms.
Still, acute asthma attacks can be life-threatening, but once under control, patients can resume their everyday activities. Naturally, avoiding any triggers is crucial when following expert medical advice regarding asthma management. On that end, having an effective management plan devised with your provider is vital for maintaining your health.
Preventing Asthma Exacerbation
The following strategies may help you avoid severe asthma attacks:
- Ensure that you have your inhalers for asthma with you with other medications, and always use them as instructed by your doctor.
- Let your doctor know if your current management plan isn’t working. They might adjust your medication dosage or try other options.
- Always treat attacks without delay.
- Consider investing in a peak flow meter.
- Carefully monitor your symptoms if you have the flu or a cold.
- Get immediate medical help if you think you’re having an attack.
Appropriate Asthma Management is Crucial
As mentioned above, these exacerbations progressively increase and worsen the symptoms of asthma, leading to profused coughing, shortness of breath, and wheezing. Severe attacks should not be taken lightly, and patients should always seek immediate medical attention, as they can be very severe and even life-threatening.
Still, with a well-calibrated asthma management plan, and patient education, people may be able to avoid certain situations or triggers that might lead to an attack.
Devising a plan that’s manageable for those who have to live by it on a daily basis requires knowledge and empathy. In this regard, it’s crucial to work together with a team of expert providers who have the experience and compassion to create a management plan that will cater to the wants and needs of the patient. And this is where our practice shines.
If you’d like to learn more about Carreras Medical Center and about the strategies we implement into our asthma management plans, reach out to us today. We are more than ready to help.
