Asthma/Asthma attack

Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:

Do not wait, phone for an ambulance if have or develop:

• Anaphylaxis (Rare condition called Exercise-induced urticaria (In this condition, an early stage of exercise-related fatigue and itchiness is followed by early onset of urticaria and angioedema (swelling) which are initially mild. However, if progression occurs, it may be serious or even life-threatening).
• Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (check if under severe emotional stress)
• Respiratory distress syndrome
• Aneurysm (Pulmonary embolism)
• Tracheal stenosis
• Increase in pulse rate
• Worsening symptoms asthma symptoms
• Swelling of ankles
• Lips or finger nails turning blue
• Drowsiness
• Chest inflating more than normal
• Sudden onset of cough or wheeze in the absence of an upper respiratory infection may have a retained foreign body.

This condition can be associated with:

• Alopecia Areata
• Chronic eosinophilic pneumonia (Carrington’s disease)
• Sudden onset of cough or wheeze in the absence of an upper respiratory infection may have a retained foreign body.
  • This cough can be mistaken for bronchiolitis, asthma, croup, and other infectious conditions, especially because a partial obstruction can make diagnosis confusing or challenging. Adding to the challenge is that most foreign bodies will be radiolucent.
  • A decubitus chest x-ray could be useful, but bronchoscopy is necessary for diagnosis.
• Pneumorrhachis – medical condition in which air has entered the spinal canal.
  • Causes are mainly due to:
    • Alveolar rupture (a significant prolonged or strong cough, or through bronchospasm related to respiratory tract infection)
    • Perforation or rupture of the oesophagus, trachea, or main bronchi
    • Dissection of air from the neck or abdomen
  • One will have chest pain and/or breathing difficulties (medical emergency)

This condition can have similar symptoms to:

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) which then can lead to: pneumonitis – asthma symptoms and /or cracking sound in lungs  and/or tiredness and/or finger clubbing.
• Congestive heart failure
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease COPD
• Cystic fibrosis
• Aspirated Pneumonia
• Sarcoidosis of the lungs
• Vocal cord disorders
• Oesophageal cancer

Inhaler breathing technique issues:

• Please let your medical prescriber know the following when undertaking using an inhaler:
  • How often do you use your blue inhaler (more one uses, more poor control)?
  • Do you taste your medication (press your MDI inhaler to early)?
  • Do you feel a hit at the back of your throat (inhaling in too sharply/strongly)?
  • Mouth coated in powder (not inhaling strong enough)?
  • Spacer makes a whistling noise  (inhaling too strongly)?

This condition can lead to:

• Keratoconus

Exercise Induced Asthma measures

• Athletes can minimize the likelihood of bronchospasms by warming up for 15-30 minutes, followed by a 15-minute rest period, allowing the competition to coincide with a refractory phase.
  • The refractory period of EIA occurs 1-3 hours from the start of the exercise.
  • It is unpredictable and intermittent, and the results could be one half the degree of bronchospasm in the first episode.
• Other nonpharmacologic measures can also be taken in the treatment of EIA, such as nasal breathing (not mouth breathing), which can result in less bronchospasm because the inhaled air is warmer and humidified.

Medscape

Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist) for further advice