ABSTRACT
According to Asthma UK, 5.4 million people are receiving treatment for asthma; on average, three people per day die from the disease. Asthma is characterised by reversible airway obstruction resulting from bronchial smooth muscle hypersensitivity, airway inflammation and increased mucosal secretions. Symptoms range from mild cough and wheeze to life-threatening airway obstruction and subsequent respiratory failure. Patients with acute severe asthma can be, but are not always, hypoxaemic. Good oxygen saturation levels do not mean they do not have severe asthma. Patients typically present with wheeze, breathlessness and cough. Symptoms can develop over minutes, hours or days. Asthma is a chronic condition and it will need regular treatment to prevent exacerbation. Patients with brittle asthma should be referred to asthma specialists for further management. Currently significant advancements have been made in providing stability for such patients through advent of newer biologic treatments.
