Temperature difference, severe asthma and pulmonary obstruction may lead to myocardial infarction? Doctors reveal 3 major myths about Taiwanese people's use of inhaled drugs
Which season is more common for chronic respiratory diseases? Are symptoms more likely to worsen as the temperature drops?
When the cold wave hits, the temperature drops sharply, which not only increases the risk of infection by various infectious bacteria, but also easily causes the symptoms of chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to worsen. Dr. Zheng Shilong, director of the Department of Thoracic Medicine at Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, pointed out in an interview that patients with chronic respiratory diseases have poor lung function and if they are not well controlled with regular medication, their symptoms may easily worsen when the seasons change. In addition, severe temperature differences in autumn and winter and the invasion of bacterial infections into the lungs may be the reasons for aggravating respiratory inflammation and swelling.
Director Zheng Shilong said that the number of return visits for chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease has indeed increased recently. Some patients mistook the symptoms of chronic respiratory diseases for worsening and thought they were coughs caused by influenza or colds until the cough persisted for 1-2 weeks. Above, I am even willing to go back to the doctor only if I cough until I am short of breath. Only by actively paying attention to respiratory health care and using inhaled drugs as directed by your doctor can you reduce the risk of chronic respiratory disease outbreaks in autumn and winter.
Poor asthma control affects heart health! Doctor calls out Taiwanese’s myths about asthma medication
Director Zheng Shilong reminded that many asthma patients usually ignore the importance of regular medication because their symptoms are not obvious. They do not return to the chest until seasonal changes or infections such as influenza, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, etc. cause severe coughing and respiratory discomfort. Seek medical treatment.
“Not only in Taiwan, but also in Taiwan and abroad, chronic respiratory patients generally have low compliance with inhaled medications, or they think that they can only use relief drugs when their symptoms worsen. They ignore regular medication, which leads to poor disease control and may cause life-threatening injuries. Dangerous, therefore, establishing a correct concept of inhaled drugs is very important for patients with chronic respiratory diseases!”
Director Zheng Shilong gave an example. The public has a relatively clear concept that chronic diseases such as high blood pressure require long-term medication control. However, people with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are prone to irregular medication due to unclear symptoms. This may not only cause a decline in lung function, but also increase the risk of other diseases. The risk of organ complications, such as asthma or acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, may induce cardiac arrhythmias, heart failure, or even acute myocardial infarction.
Influenza, pneumonia, and COVID-19 vaccines are essential! Chronic respiratory disease care priorities
Director Zheng Shilong said that chronic respiratory diseases are easy to be poorly controlled in autumn and winter, which is related to three situations. The first is that patients do not understand their own diseases and think that the cough symptoms of chronic respiratory diseases are ordinary colds; the second is the rejection of inhaled drugs. Psychologically, and third is the myth that inhaled medications contain steroids.
Director Zheng Shilong pointed out that some inhaled drugs contain steroids, but the dosage is “precise” and the dosage is light. They act directly on the respiratory tract to reduce inflammation and swelling, and have little effect on other organs. People with chronic tract diseases are reminded to take medications according to doctor’s orders. They can also cooperate with remote smart tools in medical institutions to improve medication compliance to achieve good control.
In daily life, in addition to keeping warm and avoiding going out when the air quality is poor, chronic respiratory patients are also recommended to get vaccinated against influenza, Streptococcus pneumoniae and COVID-19 to enhance protection and reduce the risk of severe pneumonia caused by infection with germs. Director Zheng Shilong reminded that common colds are mostly limited to upper respiratory tract infections and usually recover within a week. When a cough lasts for more than 2 weeks and is accompanied by lower respiratory tract conditions such as dyspnea, chest tightness, wheezing, etc., it is recommended to go to the thoracic department as soon as possible to check whether there are chronic Respiratory disease or other underlying causes.
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