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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.

  1. Steroid Prescription

    • Doctors may prescribe corticosteroids for patients with severe or moderate cases of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, according to the Mayo Clinic.

    Benefits

    • Inhaled steroids may help COPD patients breathe better and reduce inflammation in their airways.

    Trial

    • 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

    • 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

    • 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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