20 minutes later a second treatment was given with the above meds. RR was 24 at this time and HR 108. Symptoms resolved and patient was given prescription for inhaled steroids to be used with current home meds. Instruction was given for use of inhaled steroids and the patient was sent home. The complete causes of asthma are unknown.
Heredity does seem to play a role as do allergens and environmental factors.
This reaction causes the release of inflammatory mediators from mast cells which elicit the clinical response associated with an asthma attack. Onset of asthma between the ages of 5 to 15 years usually indicates asthma with an allergic basis. According to Adams and Marano, CDC 1995, asthma affects an estimated 4.8 million children and is the most common chronic disease of childhood. If onset occurs later in life, asthma is more likely idiosyncratic. Formerly, it was thought that bronchoconstriction due to smooth muscle contraction in the airway was the major contributing factor in airway obstruction with asthma.