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Hello, My Mother Is 81 Years Old And Has Been
Question: Hello, my mother is 81 years old and has been diagnosed with COPD in the past. She is now experiencing involuntary muscle spasms along with shortness of breath.
Brief Answer:
COPD
Detailed Answer:
Hi....
Welcome to "Ask a Doctor"service.
I am Dr Ajeet XXXXXXX
I have gone through your query and here is my opinion.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) management involves treatment of chronic stable disease and treatment of acute exacerbations.
Most important is to maintain optimum oxygen levels in the body which may require oxygen supplementation and at times,a non invasive ventilator.
Her oxygen saturation needs to be monitored periodically and Arterial blood gas must be procured to see levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in blood.
The immediate objectives are to ensure adequate oxygenation and near-normal blood pH,cause bronchodilatation and treat any underlying cause.
Infection,allergens,smoking,irritatants and seasonal changes can exacerbate COPD.
Beta-agonists and anticholinergic drugs, with or without corticosteroids are started with oxygen therapy to reverse the airway obstruction.
Short-acting beta-agonists are the mainstay of treatment and drug of choice is albuterol,given by nebulizer or by a metered-dose inhaler.
Ipratropium, an anticholinergic, is effective in acute COPD exacerbations and is given concurrently by nebulizer or metered dose inhaler, to cause bronchodilatation.
Corticosteroids like Prednisolone and methyl Prednisolone are used in severe exacerbations. O
Antibiotics are used to treat superadded bacterial infection.
It might be according to sputum culture reports but most commonly Amoxicillin 500mg TDS and Doxycycline 100 mg ND are used for 7 to 14 days.
In patients with too frequent exacerbations, long-term antibiotics are used to reduce exacerbation frequency.
Antitussives like dextromethorphan and opioids like codeine and oxycodone might be used for relief of severe cough.
Physiotherapy in the form of chest vibrations and postural therapy,regular omega 3 supplementation,avoidance of allergens,getting flu shots every year and pneumococcal vaccination every 5 years is rewarding.
As far as she having muscle cramps is concerned,most of the times,in COPD patients,it is due to electrolyte imbalance caused by primary disease and the drugs (Beta agonist) used to treat it.
There is decreased potassium and magnesium levels which cause involuntary muscle cramps,spasms and tremors.
This can be reversed by taking foods rich in potassium (like banana,coconut water,spinach,citrus fruits)and commercially available potassium supplements.
Hope that I have answered your query.
If you have any doubts,please let me know.
Regards.
COPD
Detailed Answer:
Hi....
Welcome to "Ask a Doctor"service.
I am Dr Ajeet XXXXXXX
I have gone through your query and here is my opinion.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) management involves treatment of chronic stable disease and treatment of acute exacerbations.
Most important is to maintain optimum oxygen levels in the body which may require oxygen supplementation and at times,a non invasive ventilator.
Her oxygen saturation needs to be monitored periodically and Arterial blood gas must be procured to see levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in blood.
The immediate objectives are to ensure adequate oxygenation and near-normal blood pH,cause bronchodilatation and treat any underlying cause.
Infection,allergens,smoking,irritatants and seasonal changes can exacerbate COPD.
Beta-agonists and anticholinergic drugs, with or without corticosteroids are started with oxygen therapy to reverse the airway obstruction.
Short-acting beta-agonists are the mainstay of treatment and drug of choice is albuterol,given by nebulizer or by a metered-dose inhaler.
Ipratropium, an anticholinergic, is effective in acute COPD exacerbations and is given concurrently by nebulizer or metered dose inhaler, to cause bronchodilatation.
Corticosteroids like Prednisolone and methyl Prednisolone are used in severe exacerbations. O
Antibiotics are used to treat superadded bacterial infection.
It might be according to sputum culture reports but most commonly Amoxicillin 500mg TDS and Doxycycline 100 mg ND are used for 7 to 14 days.
In patients with too frequent exacerbations, long-term antibiotics are used to reduce exacerbation frequency.
Antitussives like dextromethorphan and opioids like codeine and oxycodone might be used for relief of severe cough.
Physiotherapy in the form of chest vibrations and postural therapy,regular omega 3 supplementation,avoidance of allergens,getting flu shots every year and pneumococcal vaccination every 5 years is rewarding.
As far as she having muscle cramps is concerned,most of the times,in COPD patients,it is due to electrolyte imbalance caused by primary disease and the drugs (Beta agonist) used to treat it.
There is decreased potassium and magnesium levels which cause involuntary muscle cramps,spasms and tremors.
This can be reversed by taking foods rich in potassium (like banana,coconut water,spinach,citrus fruits)and commercially available potassium supplements.
Hope that I have answered your query.
If you have any doubts,please let me know.
Regards.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
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