CORTISONE-BASED DRUGS SHOULD NOT BE USED FOR CHEST INFECTIONS
November 12, 2012 by admin
Filed under Health Blog
Tens of thousands of Australians are being inappropriately prescribed inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), putting their health at risk and costing the federal government millions of dollars a year.
Doctors are commonly co-prescribing the drugs alongside antibiotics to patients with respiratory tract infections but no obstructive airway disease, according to a report released today by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).
Corticosteroids are recommended for daily longterm use in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. But there is no evidence they improve respiratory infections in people without either condition.
In 2008, more than 50,000 patients whose records indicated a short-term respiratory infection but no obstructive airway disease were co-prescribed ICS with oral antibiotics. The analysis only examined prescriptions for concession card holders aged 15 to 84, finding that among those who were dispensed any ICS, 40% only received one prescription. This “one-off” prescribing strongly suggested misuse, which might be occurring more widely, said Professor Guy Marks from the AIHW’s Centre for Asthma Monitoring.
For safe and effective natural medicines for respiratory infections, consult your Naturopathic Physician.
Yours In Great Health,Sar Rooney BHSc., ND., DC., DASc., GDSc. (Hons), MATMS, MNHAA, MHATO
Naturopathic Medicine Practitioner, Lecturer, Researcher
Earth Medicine TM
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Sar Rooney is a Naturopathic Medicine Practitioner specialising in Anxiety and Depression |Women’s Health| Hormonal Imbalances | Thyroid Disorders | Digestive Health | Genetic Polymorphisms (MTHFR/Pyroluria) | Nutritional Medicine | Optimal Wellness & Disease Prevention
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