What is asthma exacerbation?
My brother has asthma, and sometimes he has these sudden, severe attacks. The doctor called it an 'asthma exacerbation'. What exactly is an asthma exacerbation?
5 answers
5 months ago
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When my doctor used this term, I learned it basically means a sudden, severe asthma attack. For me, it happened when I was exposed to heavy paint fumes, and my regular inhaler wasn't enough to stop the wheezing.
5 months ago
Look, an exacerbation is simply your asthma getting much worse very quickly. If you are struggling to speak complete sentences because of breathlessness, don't wait around for home remedies—go straight to the hospital emergency room.
5 months ago
An asthma exacerbation can lead to expensive emergency room bills. It is much cheaper and safer to invest in a peak flow meter at home to monitor your lung capacity daily and adjust medicine before it turns into a major attack.
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Consult a pulmonologist
yrs exp
5 months ago
My daughter had an exacerbation last winter and I completely panicked seeing her wheeze so badly. But the hospital team gave her nebulization and she was back to normal in a couple of hours. Having an action plan from your doctor helps you handle it calmly.
5 months ago
Don't stress too much about the scary name, honey! It is just the medical word for a bad flare-up or asthma attack. Just make sure you and your family know where your rescue inhaler is kept, and you will be fine.