07 Aug 2009
Section 1 - Aetiology and epidemiology Asthma represents a spectrum of disorders characterised ...
in the airway, including epithelial cells. 1 Epidemiology Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases worldwide. There are over 5 million people in the UK receiving medication for asthma and over 4.1 million GP ...
12 Nov 2009
diagnosis of both COPD and asthma. However, in COPD, unlike asthma, there is usually poor bronchodilator ...
Section 1: Epidemiology and aetiology COPD is a chronic inflammatory condition of the airways ...
and progressive. 1 In contrast, asthma is characterised by variable airflow obstruction that is usually ...
04 May 2007
Dr Kevin Gruffydd-Jones examines the management options for exacerbations
of COPD...Exacerbations of COPD impose a high toll on the patient and on the NHS. An exacerbation of COPD ...
and cardiovascular examination will help to differentiate an exacerbation of COPD from other causes of acute ...
cent. Higher-flow oxygen can reduce the hypoxic drive in patients with COPD who are already hypercapnic ...
30 Apr 2008
investigation. Neoplastic disease, pulmonary embolism, pulmonary oedema, asthma and COPD are all serious ...
Pulmonary embolism Pulmonary oedema Cystic fibrosis Asthma COPD GORD Post-nasal drip Allergy ...
from a respiratory tract infection, asthma and cystic fibrosis are possible diagnoses in children ...
07 Nov 2007
Oxygen therapy and pulmonary rehabilitation improve quality of life in COPD patients, say Ms...COPD is a condition associated with progressive loss of lung function, accompanied by marked disability, especially in those patients with more severe COPD. A number of pharmacological interventions have been shown to improve quality of life in COPD patients but the most significant changes in health ...
04 Feb 2010
Making the diagnosis of asthma in children can be a challenge, writes Melanie McFeeters....Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases of childhood throughout the world, and the UK has one of the highest prevalence rates. 1 Figures from Asthma UK estimate there are 1.1 million children in the UK with a diagnosis of asthma. 2 Most diagnoses are made by primary care practitioners ...
25 Apr 2007
Patients with difficult asthma need identifying and appropriate referral, says
Dr Peter Davies...WHY DOES DIFFICULT ASTHMA MATTER? Patients will experience unpleasant and persistent ...
difficult asthma frustrating, time and resource consuming to treat, with patients easily lost to follow-up and having a high morbidity and mortality. To the NHS patients with difficult asthma will be expensive ...
28 Jan 2010
A 10-year national plan for COPD, which is due to be published shortly, aims to raise the standards...A national clinical strategy (previously national service framework) for COPD is being developed ...
awareness of COPD among those at risk. Practices should have a good understanding of the demographic ...
that 80 per cent of people with COPD have been or are smokers. The strategy will also aim to increase ...
04 Jun 2010
Asthma, malignancy and cystic fibrosis are all associated with this symptom, says Dr Barney Tinsley....Common causes in adults Asthma may present with a persistent dry cough that is worse at night or on lying flat for a time. There may be a wheeze that is aggravated by exercise.
COPD is usually ...
diagnosis of exclusion.
Diagnosing children Relatively common causes in children include asthma, with a ...
13 Feb 2009
for asthma or COPD. Antibiotics or antihistamines plus adrenaline should be given for infections ...
fibrosis, asthma, COPD, pneumothorax, pleural effusions, pulmonary oedema. Cardiovascular - congenital ...