Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Help smokers quit with a multifaceted approach

June 19, 2009

By treating smoking aggressively as a chronic, relapsing disease, clinicians can raise the odds for success, a pair of studies suggests. One gave patients a variety of cessation medications at the same time. The other investigated the effect of supplementary counseling.

The links between oral and systemic health

By Jeffrey Astroth, DDS, MSPH March 05, 2009

While research into specific cause-and-effect relationships continues, there are still plenty of reasons to encourage patients to take care of their mouth.

FDA approves Symbicort for COPD

March 03, 2009

The FDA has approved Symbicort 160/4.5 micrograms (budesonide/formoterol fumarate dehydrate, from AstraZeneca) for the maintenance treatment of airflow obstruction in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Inhaled steroids can boost pneumonia risk

January 13, 2009

Pulmonary experts at Johns Hopkins University are urging clinicians to use caution when prescribing inhaled corticosteroids (ICS). Their meta-analysis showed these drugs can increase the risk of pneumonia by a full one third.

Antibiotic benefits COPD patients

January 12, 2009

Macrolide therapy apparently reduced both the frequency and severity of exacerbations in patients with moderate to severe chronic pulmonary obstructive disease (COPD), according to a preliminary British study.

A complex case of shortness of breath

Question by J. Delyaei, MD, Santa Clara, Calif., and answered by R.S. Tharratt, MD, MPVM March 24, 2008

A 90-year-old man with a five-year history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease complains of worsening shortness of breath for the past several months. When he lies down, he feels fine, but when he stands up, he feels unwell. He denies chest pain. His medical history includes...