Why is treatment of COPD important?
COPD is fast becoming an important public health problem, forecasted to become the third most common cause of death (following heart disease). If you suffer from COPD, you may experience shortness of breath, coughing or wheezing, limiting your ability to perform everyday tasks. To achieve the best control of COPD, any decreases in mortality / death rates must be accompanied by improvements in other aspects of health such as your quality of life. In addition to quitting smoking and oxygen therapy, recent findings have suggested that medications called inhaled corticosteroids (Eg Seretide) and/or long acting bronchodilators (Eg Serevent or Salmeterol) may help achieve optimal control. Corticosteroid medications are chemically similar to natural steroids that the body’s adrenal glands produce. They have traditionally been used in treatment of COPD because of their ability to suppress inflammation (a way in which the body reacts to injury, infection or irritation). This process is an impor
