Steroids for Pulmonary Disease
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, is a group of pulmonary diseases that include bronchitis and emphysema and can cause breathing difficulties and airflow blockage in the lungs. Lung diseases may be treated with inhaled steroid medications.
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Steroid Prescription
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Doctors may prescribe corticosteroids for patients with severe or moderate cases of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Benefits
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Inhaled steroids may help COPD patients breathe better and reduce inflammation in their airways.
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Trial
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A doctor may start a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patient on a limited trial of steroid treatment for six weeks to three months to see if breathing improves, according to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.
Long-Term Effects
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Long-term use of inhaled corticosteroids may increase a patient's risk of developing cataracts, diabetes or high blood pressure. Steroid users may develop weak bones after prolonged use of the drug.
Other Medications
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Pulmonary disease patients may also receive bronchodilator medications that relax the muscles of the airways or antibiotics to treat bacterial infections such as pneumonia.
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