Guidelines for obstructive pulmonary diseases
Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are the most common obstructive pulmonary diseases. They are a substantial burden for patients, their families and the society. In addition to difficulties in diagnosing asthma and COPD, there are also doubts about the treatment and follow-up of patients by family physicians. Numerous guidelines of professional societies have been published but the most frequently used are the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) and the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) which are not just guidelines, but also practical instructions for a healthcare professional’s approach to the patient, based on scientific data. An important part of the guidelines includes clearly defined procedures in case of acute exacerbation which is defined as episodic worsening of respiratory symptoms and function. This allows for a high level of safety in disease management in the primary care setting. The most common causes of acute exacerbations are viruses, and more than 80% of acute exacerbations can be treated by family physicians. The significant effectivness of pulmonary rehabilitation in the treatment of patients with chronic obstructive diseases has been proven. With the aim to reduce the symptoms of the diseases and increase the quality of life of the patient, lung rehabilitation procedures are also an integral part of the professional guidelines.
Key words:
asthma; COPD; pulmonary rehabilitation; guidelines
OGLASI
