Author
Nicola Standring-Brown
Advanced Nurse Practitioner NHS Barnsley PCRS Executive Committee Member Chair: South Yorkshire Respiratory Interest Group
Introduction
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affects up to three million people in the UK. Sputum production is a common feature of COPD but for some patients it is difficult to clear, leaving them potentially vulnerable to respiratory infections. One of the treatments available for patients with COPD is mucolytic therapy, which reduces accumulation of mucus in the lungs, helping to prevent exacerbations – but this option can be overlooked. Nicola’s article looks at how mucolytics can be used more effectively.
