[Acute asthma in adults].

Acute asthma can be defined as first appearance of asthma or as a rapid deterioration of the asthmatic's habitual condition which can develop into a life-threatening condition. The severity of an attack and the effect of treatment has to be evaluated with the aid of peak flow measurements. The patient's self-treatment consists of increasing the dose of inhaled beta-2-receptor agonist and eventually doubling the dose of inhaled steroids. First-line treatment in hospital is high-dose inhaled nebulized beta-2-receptor agonist and oral corticosteroids. Ipratropium bromide and theophylline infusions may be added if necessary.