How to manage asthma and COPD in a 60-year-old woman?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a sixty-year-old woman who has asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. I use my inhalers to help me breathe. Sometimes I still have trouble breathing. This happens to me when I exercise or go outside in cold weather.

I want to know if there is a way to take care of my asthma and COPD at the same time. I am looking for treatments that can help me stay out of the hospital.

Help me out.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

Both asthma and COPD are treated with bronchodilators. These are short-acting (Salbutamol) for immediate relief or long-acting (Salmeterol) for maintenance.

Corticosteroids help to reduce inflammation in the airways. Inhaled corticosteroids may be used with bronchodilators in inhalers. Your doctor may prescribe other medicines, such as oral corticosteroids for more severe cases or antibiotics for infections.

Lifestyle changes to do:

Skip the triggers (smoke, allergens, irritants, or infections).
Keep moving. Even a walk helps lung function and overall health.
Keep your weight in check. Because obesity can worsen the symptoms.
Control stress. Stress can set off asthma attacks and make chronic obstructive pulmonary disease worse.
Smoking cessation. If you smoke, it’s vital to quit for both conditions, and it can slow the progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Healthy food.

Pulmonary rehabilitation is a program of exercise, education, and counseling to help you manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life.

Regular check-ups are very important. Work with your doctor to make a simple plan for what to do when you feel well and what to do if your symptoms get worse.

Your doctor may ask you to use a peak flow meter to check your breathing at home. Pay attention to signs like breathlessness, chest tightness, cough, or tiredness, and tell your doctor if anything changes.

Other recommendations include staying up to date with vaccinations, especially influenza and pneumonia, and maintaining good indoor air quality by removing allergens and irritants from your home and using an air purifier or humidifier if appropriate.

The monoclonal antibody Benralizumab has been promising to reduce the risk of hospitalization for acute asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations. This treatment targets eosinophils and has been shown to reduce the need for further treatment and hospitalization in acute exacerbations.

I hope you are happy with my answer.

Thanks.