Extracts from 'Clinical Evidence': Acute asthma

摘要

Asthma is characterised by dyspnoea, cough, chest tightness, wheezing, variable airflow obstruction, and airway hyperresponsiveness. The diurnal variation of peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) is increased in people with asthma. Chronic asthma is defined as asthma requiring maintenance treatment, and will be dealt with in a separate "Extract from Clinical Evidence." Acute asthma is defined here as an exacerbation of underlying asthma requiring urgent or emergency treatment.