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Suggest Treatment For Acute Asthma, Breathlessness And Atelectasis

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Posted on Tue, 7 Jul 2015
Question: Have acute asthma and was recently admitted to hospital for 3 days with acute asthma attack and iv steroids. Since then I have had shortness of breath with and without exertion. My doctor ordered a CTA to rule out Pulmonary Embolism which I do not have. Does the rest of my results on my CTA explain why I am having the shortness of breath. I am currently taking 4mg of Decadron 2x a day and doing 4 nebulizer treatments along with Advair 50/500. Just want to know why I am so short of breath. I have also never been a smoker. What does it mean in my results that I have atelectasis and air trapping?

How can I clear this up and start breathing normal again?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Start broad spectrum antibiotic also.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your concern.
The most common cause for acute attack of asthma is infection.
So antibiotics must be given in such cases.
Once infection will subside, your asthma will be controlled.
You are taking inhaled bronchodilators correctly. So continue them.
Chest physiotherapy and deep breathing exercises are also helpful in improving lung functions and reducing symptoms.
So discuss all these with your doctor.
Also let me know, which drugs you are taking in nebulisation?
I will be happy to help you further.
Wish you good health.
Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (51 minutes later)
Thank you for your reply.

Can you explain what my results mean on the CTA Scan Report I have attached? Does that have anything to do with my shortness of breath I am still experiencing? What does it mean in my results that I have atelectasis and air trapping? What can be done to clear this up?

Also as you have asked I am taking Duoneb .5mg - 3mg/3ml solution for my 4x a day nebulizer treatments.

Thank you.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (22 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Atelectesis is partial collapse of part of lung.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on HCM.
Atelectesis is partial collapse of part of lung.
It is mostly due to retained secretions.
And lung infection is the most common cause for this.
Another evidence of acute infection is presence of scattered ground glass opacities.
These all are temporary findings and can be treated with antibiotics, expectorant and mucolytic drugs.
Air trapping is suggestive of airway obstruction. And bronchodilators are needed for them.
So you are taking correct treatment for air trapping. But you need to start antibiotics, mucolytic and expectorant drugs.
So discuss all these with your doctor and start accordingly.
Hope I have solved your query.
If you are not having further queries, then please close the conversation and rate my answer.
You can ask me directly on bit.ly/askdrkaushalbhavsar.
Wish you good health. Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Drkaushal85

Pulmonologist

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 15005 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Acute Asthma, Breathlessness And Atelectasis

Brief Answer: Start broad spectrum antibiotic also. Detailed Answer: Thanks for your question on Health Care Magic. I can understand your concern. The most common cause for acute attack of asthma is infection. So antibiotics must be given in such cases. Once infection will subside, your asthma will be controlled. You are taking inhaled bronchodilators correctly. So continue them. Chest physiotherapy and deep breathing exercises are also helpful in improving lung functions and reducing symptoms. So discuss all these with your doctor. Also let me know, which drugs you are taking in nebulisation? I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.