magnesium for COPD

[zzyzx]

Thanks for all the replies. Why do you guys think that magnesium is not effective for COPD exacerbation, while it appears to be of benefit for a severe asthma attack?

[chbare]

Just to be clear, asthma is a form of COPD.

Take care,

chbare.

[mobey]

Just to be clear, asthma is a form of COPD.

Take care,

chbare.

There seems too be lots of literature both ways on this.

Many textbooks and websites will state Asthma is not a COPD when it is fully reversible.

That is how I am reading this thread, and how I consider the diseases.

http://www.copd-international.com/library/asthma-coexist.htm

http://www.medicinenet.com/chronic_obstructive_pulmonary_disease_copd/article.htm

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/05/100516195540.htm

[AnthonyM83]

Just to be clear, asthma is a form of COPD.

Depends on your source. It's classically not included in the COPD category if one has chronically have asthma. It very well can be, though, and I have found some sources listing it as COPD.

[mobey]

Depends on your source. It's classically not included in the COPD category if one has chronically have asthma. It very well can be, though, and I have found some sources listing it as COPD.

Chronic obstructive would indicate it is a continuous problem not an acute problem. That is too say, asthma is fully reversible and in some cases can be "outgrown".

The literature classifies Asthma as COPD when the inflammation/spasm is present at all times and becomes a "chronic" problem, rather than just acute episodes.

Really this is just semantics.... however, you would not expect the acute asthmatic to be a C02 retainer, so that may skew you're interpretation of blood gasses. If you are like me, you may not be quite so aggresive with treatments on the COPD'r compared to Asthmatic either.

[9OrangeLetters]

We have 2 gms available for use if ordered by medical command. Here there is a combined Asthma/COPD "reactive airway" protocol, which allows the usual suspects of albuterol nebulizer and methylprenisolone IV, but the epi is specifically allocated to medical command authorizaion, and the mag is relegated to "potential medications ordered".

It is worth noting that if I have somebody bad enough to require epi, I'm sure as hell going to put a call forward to a doctor to get wheels turning to prepare the ER for my arrival.