Chapter 64 Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Asthma, which is experienced by almost 1 in 10 of the UK population, can occur from infancy to old age and is genetically based. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is experienced by 8% of UK men and 3% of women and is an adult illness, in most cases the consequence of lung damage caused by smoking (less than 10% is due to occupational illness). Symptoms in asthma and COPD have many similarities, such as breathlessness, ranging from mild to severe, and a pattern of exacerbations that can be triggered by infections (for both) or allergens in the case of asthma. For moderate asthma the most important intervention is inhaled corticosteroid, an anti-inflammatory medication. Used daily, and continuously, inhaled steroids reduce lung inflammation and prevent symptoms in asthma. Higher-dose oral steroids are used in short courses to manage exacerbations. In severe asthma they may be taken daily for regular control.
