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Fragile asthma is a severe and rare form of asthma that is resistant to traditional medicines. There are two types, with type 1 being chronic and type 2 being fairly well controlled most of the time but with sudden and intense attacks. Treatment involves high doses of medication and hospitalization may be required for severe attacks.
Fragile asthma is a rare and severe form of asthma. Sufferers experience the same symptoms that affect all asthmatics, including wheezing, coughing and difficulty breathing, but the symptoms are much more severe, tend to come on suddenly and unpredictably, and are often resistant to traditional medicines. There are two varieties of brittle asthma, type 1 and type 2.
Type 1 fragile asthma is characterized by chronic symptoms that affect sufferers on a daily basis. Patients are typically on high doses of daily medications to control their asthma since regular doses are ineffective. The ongoing nature of their problem often limits their ability to carry out normal daily activities, making it very difficult and frustrating to deal with. In addition to their chronic condition, they usually suffer from periodic severe attacks that come on almost without warning. These patients often require hospitalization to get their breathing problems under control, either because of an acute attack or because their general condition significantly worsens over time.
For those with type 2 brittle asthma, their symptoms are fairly well controlled most of the time. What distinguishes them from ordinary asthma patients are sudden, sudden attacks with extremely intense symptoms, similar to those affecting type 1 sufferers. Often these occasions are severe enough to be life-threatening and generally require hospitalization.
Treatment for this condition usually involves the same medications used for normal asthma, but often much more is needed than in normal cases. Fast-acting bronchodilators are used for quick relief and steroids, corticosteroids, and slow-release bronchodilators are used for long-term management. Patients with brittle asthma may use special methods of administration, such as nebulizers or subcutaneous injections, to accommodate the larger doses of their medications. Type 2 patients may also use strategies to try and limit their severe attacks, such as avoiding allergens and other triggers.
Once an attack has progressed to the point that hospitalization is required, patients must be treated quickly and aggressively, as the condition is potentially fatal. Steroids and other drugs will often need to be given intravenously to help control symptoms. Patients who don’t respond significantly to medications may require a ventilator to get extra oxygen. Blood gases and oxygen should be monitored until they return to normal. The patient’s general status should be assessed to determine whether he or she can be safely discharged and managed at home.
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