Asthma

Intermittent Asthma

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Intermittent Asthma, Mild Intermittent Asthma

  • Criteria
  1. Asymptomatic on most days without interference with normal activity
  2. Occasional exacerbations (Less than twice/week)
    1. Exacerbations are brief (hours to days)
    2. Nighttime exacerbations are 2 or less times monthly
    3. Short-acting Beta Agonist (e.g. Albuterol) use 2 or less times weekly
    4. Oral Corticosteroids required 0-1 times per year
  3. Normal Pulmonary Function Test between exacerbations
    1. FEV1 or PEF >80% predicted
    2. FEV1 to FVC Ratio normal (>85% for age 5-19 years, >80% for age 20-39 years, >75% for age 40-59, then >70%)
    3. PEF Variability <20%
  • Management
  1. See Asthma Stepped Care
  2. No daily medications necessary
  3. Inhaled short acting Beta Agonist as needed
  4. If beta Agonist use more than twice per week:
    1. Step-up to Mild Persistent Asthma Management
    2. Consider long-term control (Inhaled Corticosteroids)
  5. Asthma Education
  6. Exacerbations
    1. See Asthma Exacerbation
    2. See Asthma Exacerbation Home Management
    3. See Emergency Management of Asthma Exacerbation
    4. See Asthma Inpatient Management
    5. See Status Asthmaticus
    6. See Asthma Exacerbation Severity Evaluation
    7. See Asthma-Related Death Risk Factors
  • Prevention
  • References
  1. Park (2017) Asthma Updates, Mayo Clinical Reviews, Rochester, MN
  2. (1997) Management of Asthma, NIH 97-4053
  3. (1995) Global Strategy for Asthma, NIH 95-3659
  4. Kalister (2001) West J Med 174:415-20 [PubMed]
  5. Kemp (2001) Am Fam Physician 63(7):1341-54 [PubMed]