N E W S

Vol 13, No. 1        LINCARE is a National Supplier of Home
Fall '00                Oxygen and Respiratory Therapy Services

What is Corticosteroid Therapy?

   Corticosteroids are a group of anti-inflammatory drugs used to treat asthma (among other diseases).  The underlying problem with asthma is chronic inflammation of the airways in the lungs.  When the inflammation flares up badly, the patient suffers an "asthma attacks."  Now that inflammation has been identified as the source of the disease, drugs that act against inflammation are being widely used on a daily basis.

   Updated recommendations

   The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute updated its guideline in 1997 for the diagnosis and treatment of asthma.  One recommendation is that inhaled corticosteroids be used as first-line therapy for persistent airway inflammation in both children and adults.  That is unless asthma is entirely controlled by infrequent (less than 2 or 3 times a week) whiffs of a bronchodilator, inhaled corticosteroids should be part of ongoing treatment.  (Oral corticosterooids are recommended only for patients with severe, persistent asthma.)
   Inhaled corticosteroids, the guidelines state, are the most potent, effective long-term therapy available.  If started soon after asthma diagnosis, their use can normalize the lungs and prevent permanent airway injury.  The difference between inhaled corticosteroids and other asthma medications is the corticosteroids can prevent constriction of the air passages.  Other drug classes, such as beta2 - agonists, help fight asthma when constriction is underway.  Most patients take inhaled corticosteroids at low dosages, and so have few side effects.

"Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work."

     The Big Five

Five inhaled corticosteroids are currently available to treat asthma:

• Beclovent Beconase, Vancenase, or Vanceril (beclomethasone dipropionate)

• Aerobid (flunisolide)

• Flovent (fluticasone propinoate)

• Pulicort trubuinhale (budesonide)

   Corticosteroids taken orally can affect adrenal gland function, the eyes, and bone growth.  The inhaled forms are much safer and can be as effective as the oral corticosteroids.

- Respiratory Health Monitor
Vol. 7, No. 2, Spring 99

"Light Cigarettes Still Carry Heavy Risks"

   A survey of smokers revealed that only about 10% realized that one "light" cigarette could give the same amount of tar as one "regular" cigarette.  Even fewer knew that one "ultra-light" could do the same thing.  So the upshot is that at least some people who would have given up smoking if they'd known these facts didn't give it up.  Many people apparently smoking the so-called lighter cigarettes are mistaken that they're at lower risk of smoking-related disease.  Some thing the lighter types can help them kick the habit....NOT!

  - American Journal of Preventative Medicine

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