Thanks for the video. Will be sure to pass it around.
What exactly is COPD??? It's a (newish) generic catch-all term to describe what the pharmaceutical industry calls chronic lung conditions. Emphysema being one such condition. The patient is usually advised that the symptoms can be managed and inhalers will be described accordingly (not the asthma type).
However, after a chance discussion with a Pharmacist in South Africa (literally just the other week), it turns out that the industry focuses on treating the symptoms of COPD exacerbations rather than the cause. When a patient (victim) has a 'flare up' of the condition, shortness of breath, wheezing, fatigue, a highly productive cough etc. Health care providers 'steer' the patient towards symptom management (which still has its place).
Here is where it gets interesting though. It turns out that the exacerbations are (more often than not) caused by bacterial infections. This could be a recurring anaerobe or something that is community transmitted. Therefore, a 'job specific' course of antibiotics will deal with the cause of the 'flare ups' rather than the symptoms.
Most people with COPD suffer with the symptoms when the cause can be treated. Suffice to say if you have smoked for decades or worked in the coal mines - you will still have lung damage, however maybe the symptoms could be alleviated with proper treatment and lung exercises from the video above.
There are different types of antibiotics available that can be highly effective when dealing with COPD 'flare ups'. I will highlight two for reference and try and condense the reasons for efficacy.
Beta-lactams; antibiotics that contain a beta-lactam ring in their chemical structure. This includes penicillin derivatives, cephalosporins and cephamycins, monobactams, carbapenems and carbacephems.
One such drug is co-amoxiclav which comes in various strengths. A compound of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid (not to be confused with 'bog standard' amoxicillin).
Highly effective against Gram negative anaerobes which can be antibiotic resistant. The clavulanic acid prevents the bacteria from forming a cell membrane and the 'old skool' penicillin finishes the job. Oddly enough a drug which was reasonably common is now no where to be seen.
Macrolide antibiotics, such as: Azithromycin, Clarithromycin, and Erythromycin are commonly used to treat infections like pneumonia and lower respiratory tract infections. A very broad spectrum of efficacy and are able to treat from Gram positive to negative and are generally well tolerated by the body.
Clarithromycin is generally considered to be the most effective and the first line of defence against COPD exacerbation. Clinical studies have shown that long term use of Clarithromycin is efficacious in the treatment of COPD exacerbations with lower incidence of adverse effects. Therefore, Clarithromycin can be used as a first line therapy in the management of mild or moderate COPD exacerbations [citation below].
Anybody who has a friend or relative with COPD should research further beta-lactam and macrolide treatment (if allergic to penicillin). This can produce results that treatment of the symptoms alone might not achieve. If having this discussion with a GP, approach the subject tentatively. The reason I say this, is if the GP hasn't offered antibiotics this far, it is safe to assume that they had no intention of prescribing them or they didn't know that this option was of any use (I wouldn't personally give them the benefit of the doubt). Remember COVID?????
Wow, seriously wow. I'll get back to you later Aang once I've watched the video.
ReplyDeleteFurthermore, I have researched this stuff heavily and been astonished at what I've found.
Thanks for the video. Will be sure to pass it around.
ReplyDeleteWhat exactly is COPD??? It's a (newish) generic catch-all term to describe what the pharmaceutical industry calls chronic lung conditions. Emphysema being one such condition. The patient is usually advised that the symptoms can be managed and inhalers will be described accordingly (not the asthma type).
However, after a chance discussion with a Pharmacist in South Africa (literally just the other week), it turns out that the industry focuses on treating the symptoms of COPD exacerbations rather than the cause. When a patient (victim) has a 'flare up' of the condition, shortness of breath, wheezing, fatigue, a highly productive cough etc. Health care providers 'steer' the patient towards symptom management (which still has its place).
Here is where it gets interesting though. It turns out that the exacerbations are (more often than not) caused by bacterial infections. This could be a recurring anaerobe or something that is community transmitted. Therefore, a 'job specific' course of antibiotics will deal with the cause of the 'flare ups' rather than the symptoms.
Most people with COPD suffer with the symptoms when the cause can be treated. Suffice to say if you have smoked for decades or worked in the coal mines - you will still have lung damage, however maybe the symptoms could be alleviated with proper treatment and lung exercises from the video above.
There are different types of antibiotics available that can be highly effective when dealing with COPD 'flare ups'. I will highlight two for reference and try and condense the reasons for efficacy.
Beta-lactams; antibiotics that contain a beta-lactam ring in their chemical structure. This includes penicillin derivatives, cephalosporins and cephamycins, monobactams, carbapenems and carbacephems.
One such drug is co-amoxiclav which comes in various strengths. A compound of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid (not to be confused with 'bog standard' amoxicillin).
Highly effective against Gram negative anaerobes which can be antibiotic resistant. The clavulanic acid prevents the bacteria from forming a cell membrane and the 'old skool' penicillin finishes the job. Oddly enough a drug which was reasonably common is now no where to be seen.
Macrolide antibiotics, such as: Azithromycin, Clarithromycin, and Erythromycin are commonly used to treat infections like pneumonia and lower respiratory tract infections. A very broad spectrum of efficacy and are able to treat from Gram positive to negative and are generally well tolerated by the body.
Clarithromycin is generally considered to be the most effective and the first line of defence against COPD exacerbation. Clinical studies have shown that long term use of Clarithromycin is efficacious in the treatment of COPD exacerbations with lower incidence of adverse effects. Therefore, Clarithromycin can be used as a first line therapy in the management of mild or moderate COPD exacerbations [citation below].
Anybody who has a friend or relative with COPD should research further beta-lactam and macrolide treatment (if allergic to penicillin). This can produce results that treatment of the symptoms alone might not achieve. If having this discussion with a GP, approach the subject tentatively. The reason I say this, is if the GP hasn't offered antibiotics this far, it is safe to assume that they had no intention of prescribing them or they didn't know that this option was of any use (I wouldn't personally give them the benefit of the doubt). Remember COVID?????
https://www.japi.org/w2f4d4/role-of-clarithromycin-in-acute-exacerbations-of-chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease#:~:text=Clinical%20studies%20indicated%20that%20long
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