title: Treating and preventing acute exacerbations of COPD.
abstract: Acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)--characterized by shortness of breath, increased sputum production, increased purulence, or a combination of these signs--are costly and can have major impacts on the patient's health. Corticosteroids, antibiotics, and bronchodilators are the cornerstones of prevention and therapy, with mucolytics, oxygen supplementation, and ventilatory support also advisable for some patients. Treatment should be evidence-based and tailored to the patient's history and present needs.
authors.affiliation: Quality Improvement Officer, Respiratory Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA. E-mail: hatipou@ccf.org.
authors.forename: Umur S
authors.initials: US
authors.lastname: Hatipoglu
authors.affiliation: Respiratory Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA.|Associate Professor, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Loutfi S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Aboussouan
mesh_terms: D000142:Acidosis, Respiratory / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D000208:Acute Disease / Q000628:therapy*; D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000420:Albuterol / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018450:Disease Progression; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000379:methods; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D000420:Albuterol; D011241:Prednisone