Whelehans Health News

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) Part 3 Treatment (Continued)   Antibiotics and corticosteroids Patients with COPD often suffer from chest infections so are frequently prescribed a short course of broad-spectrum antibiotics such as amoxicillin, tetracycline, or erythromycin. Oral corticosteroids may be needed in short courses of one or two weeks for acute flare ups. They should be commenced as the flare-up starts for best effect. Long term use of corticosteroids cause side effects including weight gain, osteoporosis, stomach ulcers and fluid retention. Side effects are minimal for short term courses. They should be taken as a single dose in the...

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) Part 2 Treatment There is no cure for COPD, so treatment involves relieving the symptoms. Stopping smoking is an important first step. Short-acting bronchodilator inhalers Short-acting bronchodilator cause bronchodilation (open the lungs). Two types of short-acting bronchodilator inhalers: beta-2 agonist inhalers, such as salbutamol and terbutaline anti-cholinergic inhalers, such as ipratropium and exotropia .   For mild COPD, a single bronchodilator inhaler used when required may be enough to relieve symptoms. But as the disease progresses a beta-2 agonist bronchodilator and an anti-cholinergic inhaler, four times a day may be needed   Long-acting bronchodilator inhalers...

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) Part 1 Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an inability to breathe in and out properly. COPD is the name for a group of lung diseases including chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and chronic obstructive airways disease. After pneumonia, COPD is the 2 second leading cause of respiratory death in Ireland with only pneumonia causing more respiratory deaths. Smoking is the cause in 85 to 90% of cases. 500,000 in Ireland live with COPD. It generally presents in people over 40 who have a history of smoking. It is more common in men than women. Types Chronic...

Malnutrition in older people (Part 2)   Detection of Malnutrition Although biochemical measurements can contribute to nutritional assessment, none can reliably measure nutritional risk e.g., a low serum albumin is almost always a marker of a fluid overload rather than a marker of malnutrition.   The best indicators of poor nutrition are measurements of weight and height. Other measures in specialist circumstances include skin-fold thickness, arm circumference and grip strength measurements. These generally need an experienced assessor.    These measurements can then be used with the following questions: Has the patient been eating a normal and varied diet in the...

Malnutrition in older people (Part 1)   Causes of Malnutrition Reduced intake: Poor appetite due to illness, food aversion, nausea or pain when eating, depression, anxiety, side effects of medication or drug addiction Diminished sensory ability: Taste changes, less smell perception, hard of hearing, reduced appetite Inability to eat: This can be due to restrictions imposed by surgery or investigations, reduced levels of consciousness; confusion; difficulty in feeding oneself due to weakness, arthritis, or other conditions such as Parkinson’s Disease, poor swallow, vomiting, painful mouth conditions, poor oral hygiene, or dentures Gut: Changes in the gut micro flora can affect...