Acute exacerbations of COPD. How to evaluate severity and treat the underlying cause.
Acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease occur often. Severity should be established by signs and symptoms and by reference to baseline pulmonary function test results when necessary. If the exacerbation is mild to moderate, treatment should include antibiotics, theophylline, beta agonists, and mucolytics. Severe exacerbations should be treated with these agents plus supplemental oxygen, intravenous corticosteroids, and, when appropriate, intubation and mechanical ventilation.
Department of Family Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905.
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Hagedorn
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005100:Expectorants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013806:Theophylline / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D005100:Expectorants; D013806:Theophylline