19d • General discussion
The Perils of COPD Management
Managing COPD isn’t just about treating breathlessness it’s about navigating a minefield of risks that can easily derail a patient’s stability.
🔸 Over-reliance on steroids:
Short courses help during exacerbations, but repeated use comes with hypertension, diabetes, osteoporosis, mood changes and infection risk. Knowing when not to prescribe is just as important as knowing when to act.
🔸 Oxygen therapy pitfalls:
Both under and over-prescription carry danger. Too little oxygen risks hypoxia; too much risks CO₂ retention, acidosis and deterioration. Target saturations matter.
🔸 Misinterpreting infections:
Not every cough and sputum change needs antibiotics. Overprescribing drives resistance and masks real deterioration patterns
🔸 Poor inhaler technique:
One of the simplest but most overlooked dangers. Incorrect technique = poor drug delivery = avoidable exacerbations.
COPD management is never one-dimensional. It demands precision, awareness of pitfalls, and constant reassessment.
What’s the most common “peril” you see in practice? 👇
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The Perils of COPD Management
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