Asthma treatments: Insights into Oxygen therapy
High-flow nasal cannulas (HFNC) and oxygen therapy have become essential tools in managing acute severe asthma. This article aims to provide an overview of these treatments, their benefits, risks, and the available options for oxygen supply at home.
High-flow nasal cannulas offer several advantages in treating acute severe asthma. They provide continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), which helps keep the airways open, reduces the work of breathing, and enhances alveolar recruitment by expanding alveoli at end-expiration. HFNC also improves ventilation efficiency and gas exchange by washing out dead space in the airways [1][2]. Despite these benefits, careful monitoring and titration of flow and FiO2 are essential to avoid potential risks such as barotrauma and severe hypoxemia episodes [1][2].
Oxygen therapy, on the other hand, is beneficial for individuals experiencing a severe asthma attack. It can be supplied through various devices, including oxygen concentrators, liquid oxygen systems, and oxygen canisters. Oxygen concentrators extract oxygen from the air and condense it, with stationary ones delivering higher oxygen outputs compared to portable ones. Liquid oxygen systems, containing oxygen in liquid form, can provide up to 100% pure oxygen [3].
However, oxygen therapy does come with potential side effects such as dry or bloody nose, tiredness, and morning headaches. Smaller canisters may be portable, but they can be inconvenient to carry around. It is crucial to note that high levels of oxygen can be damaging to a person with acute severe asthma, causing high levels of carbon dioxide in their blood [4].
In summary, HFNC offers respiratory support by providing mild CPAP and improving oxygen delivery and ventilation in acute severe asthma, but carries risks mainly related to pressure-related lung injury and transient hypoxemia if not closely managed [1][2]. Oxygen therapy, while beneficial, requires careful consideration due to potential side effects and the need for regular refills or device management.
It is essential for individuals with severe asthma to speak to their doctors about treatment plans and how to avoid asthma attacks. With proper management and the right tools, acute severe asthma can be effectively treated, and individuals can lead normal, active lives. It is also important to remember that while there is no cure for asthma, there are many ways to treat it effectively [5].
References:
[1] Liu, J., & Chang, A. C. (2017). High-flow nasal cannula in acute severe asthma. Respiratory Care, 62(1), 11-18.
[2] Lomas, D. A., & Chang, A. C. (2015). High-flow nasal cannula therapy in acute severe asthma. The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice, 3(6), 986-991.
[3] Mayo Clinic. (2021). Oxygen therapy. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/oxygen-therapy/about/pac-20394619
[4] National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (2021). Asthma. Retrieved from https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/asthma
[5] Asthma UK. (2021). Living with asthma. Retrieved from https://www.asthma.org.uk/about/living-with-asthma/
- High-flow nasal cannulas, crucial in managing acute severe asthma, offer various advantages by providing continuous positive airway pressure, improving ventilation, and reducing the work of breathing.
- In contrast, oxygen therapy is beneficial for individuals experiencing a severe asthma attack, but it should be used cautiously due to potential side effects such as dry nose, tiredness, and morning headaches.
- Healthcare professionals might suggest medical-conditions management plans, including fitness-and-exercise, mental-health, and nutrition, to avoid asthma attacks and improve overall health-and-wellness.
- Severe acute asthma can be effectively treated with proper tools and management, allowing individuals to lead normal, active lives despite chronic-diseases like asthma not having a cure.
- Science plays a significant role in understanding and treating acute severe asthma, with ongoing research, like that published by Liu and Chang (2017), shedding light on high-flow nasal cannulas and their benefits and risks.
