Pathophysiology and management of severe asthma.
Severe asthma is characterized by marked airway obstruction caused by mucus plugging, airway edema and inflammation, and contractions of airway smooth muscle. This leads to a complex series of pathophysiologic events that can be reversed with vigorous treatment given for a sufficient period of time. Standard treatment includes not only bronchodilating agents and corticosteroids but in some instances mechanical ventilation.
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000768:Anesthesia, General; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D001980:Bronchi / Q000503:physiopathology; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001999:Bronchoscopy; D005100:Expectorants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005440:Fluid Therapy; D006801:Humans; D007384:Intermittent Positive-Pressure Breathing; D008176:Lung Volume Measurements; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000503:physiopathology; D010102:Oxygen Inhalation Therapy; D010276:Parasympatholytics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D013806:Theophylline / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D005100:Expectorants; D010276:Parasympatholytics; D013806:Theophylline