Eraxion/iStockphoto.com
Articles in this section reflect chapter three of the British National Formulary and relate to the respiratory system
How you can help people with allergies
May 2011
It is estimated that up to 20 million people in the UK suffer from allergies. This article gives an overview of allergy and looks at how pharmacies can contribute to allergy management, including offering screening.
Lung cancer: diagnosis and staging of disease
Early detection of lung cancer can improve treatment outcomes. Pharmacists should take an active role in raising people’s awareness of lung cancer signs and symptoms and ensure prompt referral to GPs
Lung cancer: treatment
COPD: clinical features and diagnosis
December 2010Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is an incurable condition affecting millions of people worldwide
COPD: management
December 2010For patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, inhaled medicines are the mainstay of treatment
Asthma: the condition and its diagnosis
June 2010Wheeze, shortness of breath, cough and chest tightness are classic symptoms of asthma — a condition that can be fatal. Before appropriate treatment can be selected an accurate diagnosis must be made
Asthma: treatment and monitoring
June 2010 Asthma treatment plans should take into account patients’ goals and preferencesSteroids better than montelukast in acute asthma exacerbations in children (POEM)
January 2010Clinical question In children stabilised in emergency departments for acute asthma exacerbations, does short-term maintenance with steroids result in better outcomes than maintenance with montelukast?
Delayed antibiotics does not reduce long-term reconsultation (POEM)
January 2010Clinical question Does delayed antibiotic prescribing for acute respiratory infections reduce the rate of consultation for subsequent respiratory infections?
An update on hay fever treatments
April 2009About 10 per cent of the UK population suffers from seasonal allergic rhinitis and numbers have more than doubled in the past three decades. For many people the pharmacy is likely to be the first port of call. Sarah Marshall gives an update on treatment options
Oral prednisolone equals IV prednisolone for COPD exacerbation (POEM)
June 2008Clinical question Is oral prednisolone as effective as intravenous prednisolone for inpatient treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations?
Update on asthma management
March 2008Only half of patients with asthma manage to control it to an acceptable level. The others suffer disease symptoms and a reduced health-related quality of life. Anna Murphy gives an overview of asthma management, including recent advances
Over-the-counter advice for coughs
January 2007About 48 million cases of acute cough occur annually in the UK and most will prompt patients to use over-the-counter medicines. Sarah Marshall gives an overview of coughs and factors that pharmacists should consider
Chest infections in the community
October 2007Sarah Marshall gives an overview of acute bronchitis and community-acquired pneumonia and how the two conditions are treated
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
October 2004Two articles on COPD and its management
Tuberculosis
August/September 2004A four-part series sdtarting with a general introduction to the disease and culminating in a review of treatments for the condiiton when it become drug-resistant
- Tuberculosis — a general introduction
- How tuberculosis can be diagnosed
- Tuberculosis chemotherapy in the UK
- Treating drug-resistant tuberculosis
Herbal therapeutics (7) Colds
November 2002This article considers evidence for the efficacy and safety of echinacea in the prevention and treatment of symptoms of the common cold
Asthma
October 2001 Two articles providing an introduction to the disease and outliing current treatmentsCystic fibrosis
March/April 2001The incidence of cystic fibrosis —a disease with a variety of clinical manifestations — is one in 3,500 live, white births, making it the most prevalent fatal, recessive genetic disease among Caucasians. Three articles describe the basis of the disease, explain how it affects different body systems and its treatment in children and, as survival is extended, in adults
- (1) Cystic fibrosis – the disease
- (2) Treating children with cystic fibrosis
- (3) Treating adults with cystic fibrosis
