TREATMENT OF STATUS ASTHMATICS

Status asthmatics

Very sever and sustained attack of asthma which fails to respond to treatment with usual measures.

Management includes:

• Administration of oxygen
• Frequent or continuous administration of aerosolized ß2 agonists like salbutamol
• Systemic corticosteroid like methyl prednisolone or hydrocortisone IV
• Aminophylline IV infusion
• Iv fluid to avoid dehydration
• Antibiotics in the presence of evidence of infection

ANTI-TUSSIVES

Cough is a protective reflex, which serves the purpose of expelling sputum and other irritant materials from the respiratory airway.

Types:

• Useful productive cough
  • Effectively expels secretions and exudates

• Useless cough
  • Non-productive chronic cough
  • Due to smoking and local irritants

Anti-tussives are drugs used to suppress the intensity and frequency of coughing.

Two Types of Anti-tussives:

1. Central anti- tussives
   • Suppress the medullay cough center and may be divided into two groups:
     • Opoid antitussive e.g. codeine, hydrocodeine, etc
     • Non opoid antitussives e.g. dextromethorphan
2. Peripheral antitussives
   1. Decrease the input of stimuli from the cough receptor in the respiratory passage. e.g:    Demulcents e.g. liquorices lozenges, honey

Local anesthetics e.g. lidocaine aerosol

Demulcents coat the irritated pharyngeal mucosa and exert a mild analgesic effect locally.