Azlthromycin a common antibiotic used to treat infections from bacteria now used for acute symptoms of COPD
Appearing in the August 25th New England Journal of Medicine are the results of a large multi-center clinical trial showing that the common antibiotic of Azlthromycin can aide in reducing acute symptoms of COPD such as severe wheezing. This trial has been sponsored by the National Institutes of Health, conducted at the University Of California San Francisco (UCSF).
COPD is the third leading cause of death in the United States. The National Heart, Blood and Lung Institute estimates that 12 million adults have COPD and another 12 million are undiagnosed or developing COPD.
According to Dr. Stephen C. Lazarus, professor of medicine at UCSF and chairman of the steering committee at the National Institutes of Health states that those who have COPD become short of breath doing daily activities and in those where COPD is severe it is much like suffocating.
The findings from this study advocate that regular use of this antibiotic can reduce the frequency of flare-ups. These flare-ups cause numerous practitioner visits, emergency room visits and hospitalizations. Those who experience severe flare-ups have a faster decline in lung function and an increased risk for death.
This study had been designed for the purpose to investigate which antibiotic would be effective in lessening the flare-ups. The trial had consisted of 1,142 randomized participants from 17 medical sites who were a minimum age of 40, had a clinical diagnosis of COPD and had smoked for at least ten years. For the study participants either received the antibiotic or a placebo each day for a time span of one year along with their regular routine care.
The study had revealed that the participants who received Azithromcyin had a 27% decrease risk for an acute flare-up which occurred 266 days after median in comparison to 174 days of participants on the placebo.
Researchers are unclear as how exactly this antibiotic decreased flare-up but they do note that this antibiotic also has anti-inflammatory properties which could be helpful in COPD.
Researchers also do note a side effect in increased risk of hearing loss but the studies lead author Dr. Richard Albert, chief of medicine at Denver Health and professor of medicine at the University of Colorado stated the loss did not reach a significant enough level for patients to notice it. The quality of life had improved for those who took the antibiotic.
According to Dr. Albert, after trying all standard treatments if the patient still has acute flare-ups, adding this antibiotic to their regimen of treatment will lessen the number of flare-ups. He also clearly notes that this treatment is not for all COPD patients. The group of patients they had selected for the study had predisposed multiple flare-ups.
COPD is a very serious lung disease and over a span of time makes breathing difficult. It is also called emphysema or chronic bronchitis.
There are also alternative therapies in which can aide COPD such as;
Chiropractic
Numerous evidence shows that chiropractic spinal manipulations can help persons with COPD.
A study which appeared in the Journal of American Osteopathic Associated had revealed that reductions of severe symptoms of COPD patients that had received spinal manipulations.
A different study revealed that COPD patients who received regular chiropractic care had showed improvements in forced vital capacity, decrease in coughing and fatigue along with easier breathing.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture and Acupressure both have good results for those with COPD by helping patient’s breath much easier.
In Detroit and Surrounding areas:
18700 Woodward Avenue
Detroit
313-366-2274
24281 Middlebelt Road
Farmington Hills
248-477-3977
4100 Woodward Avenue
Detroit
313-831-3222
715 North Main Street
Royal Oak
248-398-3247
Comments