What is the typical treatment for a moderate to severe asthma exacerbation?

The typical treatment for a moderate to severe asthma exacerbation includes the administration of systemic corticosteroids. These medications play a critical role in reducing airway inflammation and improving breathing in patients experiencing significant asthma symptoms. During an exacerbation, the airways become swollen and filled with mucus, causing difficulty in airflow. Systemic corticosteroids, such as prednisone, help to mitigate this inflammation, leading to an improvement in respiratory function and a reduction in symptoms.

In addition, while inhaled bronchodilators are important in managing acute symptoms by relaxing the muscles around the airways to ease breathing, they may not be sufficient on their own for a moderate to severe exacerbation. Oxygen therapy, while useful for patients in respiratory distress, does not address the underlying inflammation, and oral antihistamines, which primarily target allergic symptoms, are not effective in treating asthma exacerbations. Thus, systemic corticosteroids remain a cornerstone of treatment for acute management in these situations.