Back to Basics: Drugs for asthma – where and how do they work?
Back to Basics: Anaphylaxis and adrenaline auto-injector pens
Why Optimise Inhaler Technique in Asthma and COPD?
Asthma UK estimates that 2.1 million patients in the UK are suffering unnecessarily because
they do not use their asthma treatment effectively. This article looks at how inhaled
therapies are deposited in the lungs, and at the basic differences between inhalers – with
a focus on optimising inhaler technique.
Which drugs are contraindicated for asthma patients
One person in every five households in the UK is receiving treatment for asthma,
according to latest figures. As well as treatment for asthma, many of these individuals
also self-medicate for minor illnesses or require prescribed medication for other
conditions. It is important that the drugs they take do not adversely affect their asthma
control. In this article we review which drugs might cause problems in patients also taking
treatment for asthma.
What’s new in the BTS guidelines for emergency oxygen use in adult patients?
This brief article summarises some of the key points in the recent oxygen guideline
that are of particular relevance to health professionals working in primary care.
It includes the appropriate monitoring of patients with asthma and COPD as well as
the correct equipment required. For full information on the guideline refer to
www.brit-thoracic.org.uk – emergency oxygen guidelines.
What is IMPRESS?
In the current political and social environment, health care is changing at a frenetic pace and
nurses may feel that they are being left behind. The British Thoracic Society (BTS) and
General Practice Airways Group (GPIAG) support and represent practitioners with an interest
in secondary and primary care respectively. They have set up a joint initiative called
IMPRESS to help respiratory clinicians to understand what is going on and how to get involved.
This article gives an update on what the initiative is, how it works and what it’s done so far.
What is a ‘double-dummy’ trial?
We continue our series of articles on research concepts by explaining what ‘double-dummy’ trials are and why researchers
use them to compare medications that are delivered using different types of inhalers.
What do Patients Want from Asthma Therapy?
More than half of people with asthma in the UK have inadequate symptom control,
despite the range of effective therapies now available. Rather than blaming
patients when they fail to take their medications as prescribed, we need to
examine the way we conduct asthma consultations and ask whether we are failing
to meet the needs of individual patients. How can we gain greater understanding about what
people with asthma want from healthcare professionals and treatments, so we can achieve a
more patient-centred approach to care?
What are my responsibilities as a practice nurse?
The role of nurses working in the National Health Service has undergone major development
in recent years with new roles and expansion of skills into new areas which has included
respiratory care. However, as always, an increased role demands increased responsibility
and this article examines the key legislation affecting practice nurses, and how they can
reduce the risk of medico-legal action.
Useful techniques to manage breathlessness
Although breathlessness is a complex symptom, appropriate management in primary
care can be very rewarding, and does not have to rely on complex, hi-tech
interventions. This article discusses the rationale behind the practical interventions
that practitioners in primary care can consider.
Urticaria and angioedema
Allergic diseases such as hayfever and allergic asthma are becoming increasingly common
in westernised countries such as the United Kingdom, with an estimated 25% of the
population now suffering from some form of allergic condition. Urticaria and angioedema
are commonly thought of as allergic problems although in general only acute symptoms
are related to allergen exposure. Here we discuss the diagnosis and management of urticaria and
angioedema in primary care, with particular focus on identifying allergic triggers and managing
long-term symptoms successfully.
