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Suggest Remedies For COPD In An Elderly Person
Question: My friend of 68yrs has been diagnosed with COPD for some time and taken steroid inhalers for 12 yrs. and now has the added diagnosis of widespread osteoparosis with she believes is the result of the steroid use.Consequently she no longer wishes to take any steroids but needs treatment for the COPD which will give her more energy. Are there "natural" steroids which do not produce the devastating side effects for her?and what do you think about considering consulting with a Chinese Medicine Practitioner?
Thank you,
Liz XXXXXXX
Thank you,
Liz XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Steroid inhalers are not the only cause of osteoporosis
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
Thanks for posting your query on HCM.
Inhaled steroids are the mainstay of treatment of COPD. The steroid content in them is in a very minute quantity (in micrograms). Only about 20% of inhaled drug enters the lung and 10 % actually enters the blood. However use over a prolonged period may have some effect on the bone but this is not the only cause of osteoporosis. There can be many others , age itself being the main cause. Diet poor in calcium and other minerals is also another contributory factor. Smoking(if any) is another reason.
She will have to take inhaled steroids for better control of symptoms. She may try Tiova inhaler which is not a steroid and Theophyllines. A diet rich in calcium and other minerals but Vitamin-D is a must. She should stop smoking, if a smoker. Daily exercise like walking will help. Weight bearing exercises if possible are good.
I cannot say anything about Chinese practioner as not much literature is available and have not practised on my patients.
Hope this answers your query.
Regards
Steroid inhalers are not the only cause of osteoporosis
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
Thanks for posting your query on HCM.
Inhaled steroids are the mainstay of treatment of COPD. The steroid content in them is in a very minute quantity (in micrograms). Only about 20% of inhaled drug enters the lung and 10 % actually enters the blood. However use over a prolonged period may have some effect on the bone but this is not the only cause of osteoporosis. There can be many others , age itself being the main cause. Diet poor in calcium and other minerals is also another contributory factor. Smoking(if any) is another reason.
She will have to take inhaled steroids for better control of symptoms. She may try Tiova inhaler which is not a steroid and Theophyllines. A diet rich in calcium and other minerals but Vitamin-D is a must. She should stop smoking, if a smoker. Daily exercise like walking will help. Weight bearing exercises if possible are good.
I cannot say anything about Chinese practioner as not much literature is available and have not practised on my patients.
Hope this answers your query.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Answered by
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