This document discusses asthmatic status and the treatment of severe asthma exacerbations. It defines a severe exacerbation as one that is unresponsive to usual asthma drugs. Potential causes include allergens, stress, emotions, infections, and irritants. Severe exacerbations involve hyperresponsiveness and inflammation in the bronchi leading to hypersecretion, edema, and bronchoconstriction. Treatment depends on the severity of the exacerbation and includes nebulized bronchodilators, corticosteroids, oxygen supplementation, and mechanical ventilation for the most severe cases unresponsive to initial treatment.