status asthmaticus

status asth·mat·i·cus -az-'mat-i-kəs n a prolonged severe attack of asthma that is unresponsive to initial standard therapy, is characterized esp. by dyspnea, dry cough, wheezing, and hypoxemia, and that may lead to respiratory failure

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a severe attack of asthma, which often follows a period of poorly controlled asthma. Patients are distressed and very breathless and may die from respiratory failure if not vigorously treated with inhaled oxygen, nebulized or intravenous bronchodilators, and corticosteroid therapy; sedatives are absolutely contraindicated. These patients need hospital care in an intensive care unit.

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a particularly severe episode of asthma that does not respond adequately to ordinary therapeutic measures and may require hospitalization.