Final answer:
Severe persistent asthma involves frequent symptoms, including coughing and chest tightness, which can be assessed using spirometry (FEV1/FVC ratio) to measure airway resistance. Management includes long-term control medications, quick-relief options, and sometimes biologic therapy. The goal is to prevent aggravation of symptoms, maintain lung function, and enable normal activity.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Severe Persistent Asthma
Severe persistent asthma is characterized by frequent symptoms that interfere with daily activities, requiring ongoing management. Signs and symptoms can include coughing, shortness of breath, wheezing, chest tightness, and in severe cases, cyanosis and altered mental status indicating a serious attack. A key assessment for lung function is the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), obtained via spirometry. A decreased FEV1 can suggest significant obstruction in the airways.
Treatment options focus on long-term control medications such as inhaled corticosteroids, combined inhalers containing corticosteroids and long-acting beta-agonists, and in some cases, biologic therapy medications. Rapid-relief medications, also known as rescue inhalers that contain short-acting beta-agonists, are used to manage acute symptoms and attacks. For those who struggle with inhalers, nebulizers are an alternative. The goal is to manage and prevent symptoms, maintain normal lung function, enable a normal activity level, and prevent severe asthma attacks.
Lung Function Assessment in Asthma
The FEV1/FVC ratio measured during spirometry indicates whether there is airway resistance characteristic of asthma. If the ratio is low, it suggests the person has difficulty expelling air quickly, due to resistance in the lungs. These assessments help doctors tailor treatment approaches for asthma management.