Management of asthma exacerbations: Home treatment

Asthma is a major cause of morbidity in children. Delays in care and inappropriate home management practices can contribute to morbidity and mortality. Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of asthma were developed in 1991 and revised in 1997 by The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. In this article we review the recommended pharmacological protocol for home treatment of asthma exacerbations, and then discuss in more detail behavioral components of asthma management, including monitoring of symptoms, seeking medical care, developing clinician-patient partnerships, and practical issues in equipment and medication usage. Discrepancies between guideline recommendations and current management practices are also discussed.