Asthma and COPD are the two most commonly found obstructive lung conditions. The obstruction, which restricts airflow in and out of the lungs, is caused by narrowing of the airways. In asthma this narrowing is variable and reversible either spontaneously or with treatment, whereas in COPD the obstruction of airflow is fixed and progressively worsens. Both conditions feature inflammation as an underlying cause, but the type of inflammation differs so the treatment used to relieve or control symptoms is also very different. Treatment also reflects the underlying pathophysiology that leads to symptoms. Breathlessness and wheeze in asthma are related to the degree of bronchoconstriction in the lungs, which can vary depending on time of day and exposure to trigger factors. In COPD, symptoms of breathlessness and productive cough are related to chronic airway narrowing, damage to the mucociliary escalator and emphysematous changes causing air trapping within the peripheral lung fields. Therefore treatment to reduce morbidity aims to reduce the reaction to triggers in asthma, and releasing trapped air in COPD. In both conditions an overarching aim is to reduce the frequency and severity of exacerbations that pose an increased mortality risk. This resource, which is based on typical case scenarios, is offered at an advanced level and includes five assessment questions to support your continuing professional development. Complete the module, including the recommended reading and some or all of the suggested activities, to obtain a certificate for one hour of continuing professional development to include in your annual portfolio. Aims and objectivesOn completion of this resource you should have an understanding of how to use a range of tools and treatments to:
Practice Nurse featured articlesImproving long-term outcomes in asthma Mandy Galloway Setting a new benchmark for asthma care Tricia Smith Inhaled therapy: all in the technique Rachel Booker COPD: treatment and prevention of acute exacerbations Beverley Bostock-Cox When to use steroids in COPD Dr Ed Warren Masterclass: using combination inhalers in COPD Beverley Bostock-Cox Recommended ReadingThe British Thoracic Society/Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network, British Guideline on the Management of Asthma, 2014 update. Quick Reference Guide 141 https://www.sign.ac.uk/pdf/QRG141.pdf Royal College of Physicians. Why Asthma Still Kills: National Review of Asthma Deaths (NRAD), 2014 Available at https://www.rcplondon.ac.uk/sites/default/files/why_asthma_still_kills_executive_summary.pdf Department of Health. An outcomes strategy for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma in England, 2011 https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/216139/dh_128428.pdf NICE CG101 Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, 2010 https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg101 Further education and trainingTreatment and management of asthma and COPD is included as part of all asthma and COPD diploma and degree level courses in addition to one day workshops provided by Education for Health. For further information please see: Asthma eLearning Degree Module Asthma eLearning Diploma Module Asthma eLearning Diploma Module (Stirling) Asthma eLearning Diploma Module (London) COPD eLearning Diploma Module (Stirling) |
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