Asthma is a congestive pulmonary disease characterized by attacks of wheezing\u00a0and difficult breathing.<\/p>\n
Smooth muscles that lie in the walls of the smaller bronchi and\u00a0bronchiolus become increasingly responsive to a variety of stimuli (pollens, dusts, milk,\u00a0shellfish, fumes, etc.). This causes edema in the bronchi and congestion of the lining\u00a0membranes of the bronchi. Additionally, the membranes which line the bronchi secrete\u00a0a great deal of mucus which is hard to dislodge (cough up).<\/p>\n
a. Signs\/Symptoms of Acute Asthm<\/strong>a. Included are the following:<\/p>\n (1) Interference of normal passage of air in and out of the lungs.<\/p>\n (2) Exhalation particularly difficult. Not all the inhaled air can be exhaled.\u00a0With each breath the child takes, some air is trapped in his lungs.<\/p>\n (3) Chest becomes overinflated, and the sounds are overloud when the\u00a0chest is percussed.<\/p>\n (4) Ventilation (the cyclic process of breathing in and breathing out) is\u00a0progressively impaired.<\/p>\n (5) Worsening of these conditions:<\/p>\n (a) Hypoxia–abnormal reduction of oxygen in the body tissues; also\u00a0called oxygen deficiency.<\/p>\n (b) Hypercarbia–abnormally high concentration of carbon dioxide in the\u00a0blood.<\/p>\n (c) Acidosis–increase in the hydrogen ion concentration in body fluids\u00a0accompanied by a lowering of the pH level.<\/p>\n (d) Dehydration–decrease in the amount of water in the body or body\u00a0tissues.<\/p>\n (6) As acidosis worsens, bronchoconstriction (narrowing of the interior\u00a0space of the bronchi) becomes severe. Dehydration causes the mucus plugs to\u00a0become thicker and more tenacious. This all causes a continuous cycle.<\/p>\n b. Treatment of Acute Asthma<\/strong>. An acute attach of asthma is treated as a\u00a0respiratory emergency. Treat as follows:<\/p>\n (1) Give oxygen to treat the child’s oxygen deficiency.<\/p>\n (2) Administer bronchodilator medication. The drug of choice is\u00a0epinephrine, 1:1000 0.01 ml\/kg to 0.3 ml is the maximum dosage. The dosage may be\u00a0repeated once or twice every 20 minutes. An aerosolized bronchodilator through a\u00a0nebulizer may be used.<\/p>\n CAUTION: DO NOT administer epinephrine after the patient has used an over-the-counter\u00a0(OTC) bronchodilator. Otherwise, the patient may experience\u00a0severe circulatory disease or cardiac arrhythmias.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n (3) Encourage fluids to treat dehydration and to loosen mucus secretions.<\/p>\n (4) Administer bicarbonate to treat acidosis.<\/p>\n (5) Some children may require steroids for a period of time to reduce the\u00a0edema and congestion of the bronchial membranes.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Asthma is a congestive pulmonary disease characterized by attacks of wheezing\u00a0and difficult breathing. Smooth muscles that lie in the walls of the smaller bronchi and\u00a0bronchiolus become increasingly responsive to a variety of stimuli (pollens, dusts, milk,\u00a0shellfish, fumes, etc.). This causes edema in the bronchi and congestion of the lining\u00a0membranes of the bronchi. Additionally, the membranes … Continue reading 3-12. ACUTE ASTHMA<\/span>