Status asthmaticusis a severe and potentially life-threateningasthma attack.
More commonly known as acute severe asthma, status asthmaticus occurs whenbronchodilator drugsfail to control an attack.
Some cases have been known to cause acollapsed lung,coma, andcardiac arrest.
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Status asthmatica is a medical emergency that can affect anyone with mild to severe asthma.
Hospitalization in an intensive care unit is often required.
This article explains what status asthmatic is, including the causes, symptoms, and treatments.
It also describes the signs of a medical emergency.
The imbalance triggersacute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
When to Call 911
How Is Status Asthmaticus Different From an Asthma Attack?
Despite advances in emergency treatment, status asthmaticus (SA) remains a serious health concern.
Each year, around 3,500 deaths are attributed to asthma in the United States.
Status asthmatics is more than just a “bad” asthma attack.
It is one in which prescription inhalers and asthma medications fail to provide control.
Slow-onset SA disproportionately affects poor people who lack adequate access to healthcare.
Without consistent access to bronchodilators and otherasthma medications, their ability to maintain long-term control is all but compromised.
These are the communities with the highest rates of poverty in the United States.
Struggling with asthma control for more than 17 years independently places you at high risk of status asthmaticus.
Sudden-onset SA affects highly allergic people who tend to react adversely to even small amounts of an allergen.
The deterioration occurs within hours, sometimes accompanied bysymptoms ofanaphylaxis(a potentially life-threatening, whole-body allergy).
What Are the Diagnostic Criteria for Status Asthmaticus?
The common diagnostic signs of status asthmaticus include:
What Treatment of Choice for Status Asthmaticus?
Status asthmaticus is treated as a medical emergency.
Less than 1% of emergency room visits for asthma require mechanical ventilation.
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)may be used if mechanical ventilation fails.
The risk increases by nearly four-fold if pneumonia develops and by almost 30-fold if mechanical ventilation is required.
This can lead to severe respiratory distress and possibly death if not treated as a medical emergency.
Mauer Y, Taliercio RM.Managing adult asthma: the 2019 GINA guidelines.Cleve Clin J Med.
