Pulmonology

Pneumonia: Who is at Risk?

Pneumonia: Who is at Risk? – MM1610

Risk factors for pneumonia include age, smoking and presence of chronic diseases, such as lung disease, heart disease and diabetes. Preventive measures include influenza and pneumococcal vaccination and smoking cessation. GPs are at the front line of management of patients with pneumonia, starting empirical outpatient antibiotic therapy and referring those who are very ill or at risk of deterioration to hospital. A chest x-ray is important for diagnosis of pneumonia. Most patients respond to empirical antibiotic therapy with amoxycillin, doxycycline or an appropriate macrolide antibiotic. Patients with nonresolving pneumonia require reassessment to confirm the diagnosis, identify the pathogen and look for complications or underlying disease such as malignancy.

Modern Medicine – October 2016

October 31, 2016 by Pneumonia Pulmonology

Asthma – COPD Overlap Syndrome | A merger of 2 distinct spectrums of inflammatory airway diseases

Asthma – COPD Overlap Syndrome | A merger of 2 distinct spectrums of inflammatory airway diseases – MM1609

Most practising doctors are familiar with the diseases of Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Within the cohort of these two disease entities, there are patients that do not completely satisfy the criteria to be diagnosed convincingly as either asthma or COPD. While the semantics of these diseases are far more important for research purposes than the diagnostic dilemma they pose, there have been several advances in both asthma and COPD that make the distinction or recognition of an asthma COPD Overlap Syndrome (ACOS) as a clinical entity more pertinent.

Modern Medicine – September 2016

October 6, 2016 by Asthma COPD Pulmonology

Reducing Croup Severity Cuts Hospital Readmission

Reducing Croup Severity Cuts Hospital Readmission – MM1606

Croup is characterised by the abrupt onset, most commonly at night, of a barking cough, inspiratory stridor, hoarseness and respiratory distress due to upper airway obstruction and must be differentiated from acute epiglottitis, bacterial tracheitis, or an inhaled foreign body. Croup affects about 3% of children a year, usually between the ages of six months and three years and 75% of infections are caused by Parainfluenza virus. Symptoms usually resolve within 48 hours. Severe infection rarely leads to pneumonia or to respiratory failure and arrest.

Modern Medicine – June 2016

June 30, 2016 by Paediatrics Pulmonology

Putting COPD Medications into Perspective

Putting COPD Medications into Perspective – MM1601

Over the past few years, new drugs have been added to the bronchodilators and inhaled corticosteroids used for treating COPD. There is no strong evidence to say that one drug within a class is better than another and the decision about which drugs to use is mainly about patient preference, although multiple drugs from the same class should not be used in the same patient.

Modern Medicine – January 2016

January 14, 2016 by COPD Pulmonology

A Clinical Approach to Allergic Rhinitis

A Clinical Approach to Allergic Rhinitis – MM1511

History is a critical aspect of the assessment process in allergic rhinitis, and provides a framework for interpreting investigations including serum specific IgE and skin test results. Management comprises allergen avoidance, symptomatic drug therapy and allergen-specific immunotherapy, the latter being an effective longterm treatment.

Modern Medicine – November 2015

November 24, 2015 by Allergies ENT Immunology Pulmonology

Venous Thromboembolism | Prevention, Investigation and Treatment

Venous Thromboembolism | Prevention, Investigation and Treatment – MM1504

People at risk of developing venous thromboembolism (VTE) need to be identified so that they can commence prophylaxis, which may prevent significant morbidity and mortality. Investigation of the underlying cause of VTE is essential because this affects the duration and type of treatment.

Modern Medicine – April 2015

April 28, 2015 by Cardiology Critical Care Pulmonology

Worsening Asthma In Adults Part 2: Assessment And Management Of Asthma Exacerbations

Worsening Asthma In Adults Part 2: Assessment And Management Of Asthma Exacerbations – MM1502

This second part of a two-part article discusses the assessment and management of patients who present to their GP with an asthma exacerbation. Moderate exacerbations can be managed in the community but urgent hospital transfer is required if the exacerbation is severe or the patient has high-risk features or deteriorates despite treatment.

Modern Medicine – February 2015

February 24, 2015 by Asthma Pulmonology
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