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Complementary Medicine Research 2020Althaea officinalis has been traditionally used for management of cough and other respiratory problems. The aim of this review article was to evaluate its efficacy in... (Review)
Review
Althaea officinalis has been traditionally used for management of cough and other respiratory problems. The aim of this review article was to evaluate its efficacy in modern research according to its traditional beliefs. All information was extracted from scientific resources of PubMed Central, ScienceDirect, Wiley, Springer, SID, accessible books, reports, and theses. The results of animal and clinical studies confirmed the efficacy of A. officinalis extracts alone in treatment of dry cough, while combination of A. officinalis with Zataria multiflora, Zingiber officinalis, or Helix hedera increased the efficacy of A. officinalis and improved all kinds of cough. Different mechanisms are involved in expectorant and antitussive effects of A. officinalis in treatment of cough. Therefore, A. officinalis in combination with other plant extracts in different forms of drug could be a good choice for cough, sore throat, and other respiratory ailments.
Topics: Althaea; Animals; Antitussive Agents; Cough; Humans; Phytotherapy; Plant Extracts
PubMed: 31770755
DOI: 10.1159/000503747 -
Practical Neurology Feb 2022Cerebellar ataxia, neuropathy and vestibular areflexia syndrome (CANVAS) typically presents in middle life with a combination of neuropathy, ataxia and vestibular... (Review)
Review
Cerebellar ataxia, neuropathy and vestibular areflexia syndrome (CANVAS) typically presents in middle life with a combination of neuropathy, ataxia and vestibular disease, with patients reporting progressive imbalance, oscillopsia, sensory disturbance and a dry cough. Examination identifies a sensory neuropathy or neuronopathy and bilaterally impaired vestibulo-ocular reflex. The underlying genetic basis is of biallelic AAGGG expansions in the second intron of replication factor complex subunit 1 (RFC1). The frequency and phenotype spectrum of RFC1 disease is expanding, ranging from typical CANVAS to site-restricted variants affecting the sensory nerves, cerebellum and/or the vestibular system. Given the wide phenotype spectrum of RFC1, the differential diagnosis is broad. RFC1 disease due to biallelic AAGGG expansions is probably the most common cause of recessive ataxia. The key to suspecting the disease (and prompt genetic testing) is a thorough clinical examination assessing the three affected systems and noting the presence of chronic cough.
Topics: Bilateral Vestibulopathy; Cerebellar Ataxia; Humans; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases; Vestibular Diseases; Vestibular System
PubMed: 34389644
DOI: 10.1136/practneurol-2020-002822 -
Tidsskrift For Den Norske Laegeforening... Aug 2021The diagnosis of pulmonary tularaemia can be challenging. We present a case illustrating how pulmonary tularaemia may be an important radiological differential diagnosis...
BACKGROUND
The diagnosis of pulmonary tularaemia can be challenging. We present a case illustrating how pulmonary tularaemia may be an important radiological differential diagnosis to lung cancer.
CASE PRESENTATION
A man in his fifties presented with several weeks of dry cough, weight loss and profuse night sweats. The physical examination was normal. A chest computer tomography showed evidence of lymphadenopathy and two consolidated lung masses. The lung masses and lymph nodes showed signs of necrosis. The radiological findings were described as suspicious of lung cancer. A detailed history revealed that he had chopped wood prior to symptom onset. He tested positive for Francisella tularensis IgM and IgG, confirming the diagnosis of pulmonary tularaemia.
INTERPRETATION
The radiological findings in pulmonary tularaemia may mimic lung cancer. Serology is an easy way to confirm the diagnosis, if faced with clinical or radiological suspicion of pulmonary tularaemia.
Topics: Antibodies, Bacterial; Cough; Diagnosis, Differential; Francisella tularensis; Humans; Lung Neoplasms; Male; Tularemia
PubMed: 34423953
DOI: 10.4045/tidsskr.21.0245 -
Clinical Infectious Diseases : An... Jul 2020In December 2019, coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) emerged in Wuhan and rapidly spread throughout China.
BACKGROUND
In December 2019, coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) emerged in Wuhan and rapidly spread throughout China.
METHODS
Demographic and clinical data of all confirmed cases with COVID-19 on admission at Tongji Hospital from 10 January to 12 February 2020 were collected and analyzed. The data on laboratory examinations, including peripheral lymphocyte subsets, were analyzed and compared between patients with severe and nonsevere infection.
RESULTS
Of the 452 patients with COVID-19 recruited, 286 were diagnosed as having severe infection. The median age was 58 years and 235 were male. The most common symptoms were fever, shortness of breath, expectoration, fatigue, dry cough, and myalgia. Severe cases tend to have lower lymphocyte counts, higher leukocyte counts and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), as well as lower percentages of monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils. Most severe cases demonstrated elevated levels of infection-related biomarkers and inflammatory cytokines. The number of T cells significantly decreased, and were more impaired in severe cases. Both helper T (Th) cells and suppressor T cells in patients with COVID-19 were below normal levels, with lower levels of Th cells in the severe group. The percentage of naive Th cells increased and memory Th cells decreased in severe cases. Patients with COVID-19 also have lower levels of regulatory T cells, which are more obviously decreased in severe cases.
CONCLUSIONS
The novel coronavirus might mainly act on lymphocytes, especially T lymphocytes. Surveillance of NLR and lymphocyte subsets is helpful in the early screening of critical illness, diagnosis, and treatment of COVID-19.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Betacoronavirus; COVID-19; China; Coronavirus Infections; Cough; Critical Illness; Cytokines; Female; Fever; Hospitalization; Humans; Leukocyte Count; Lymphocytes; Male; Middle Aged; Monocytes; Neutrophils; Pandemics; Pneumonia, Viral; Retrospective Studies; SARS-CoV-2; Young Adult
PubMed: 32161940
DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciaa248 -
European Journal of Internal Medicine Aug 2020Cough, a defense mechanism for clearing the airways of secretions, exudate, or foreign bodies, may become a troublesome symptom. Chronic cough, one of the most frequent... (Review)
Review
Cough, a defense mechanism for clearing the airways of secretions, exudate, or foreign bodies, may become a troublesome symptom. Chronic cough, one of the most frequent symptoms requiring medical attention, is often not due to identifiable causes in adults. Chronic productive cough defines chronic bronchitis, and thus is present in 100% of these patients, and frequently in patients with bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis, and chronic infectious respiratory diseases. However, chronic cough is most frequently dry. Thus, chronic cough in adults is a difficult syndrome requiring multidisciplinary approaches, particularly to diagnose and treat the most frequent identifiable causes, but also to decide which patients may benefit by treating the central cough hypersensitivity by neuromodulatory therapy and/or non-pharmacologic treatment (speech pathology therapy). Recent guidelines provide algorithms for diagnosis and assessment of cough severity; particularly chronic cough in adults. After excluding life-threatening diseases, chronic cough due to identifiable causes (triggers and/or diseases), particularly smoking and/or the most frequent diseases (asthma, chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, eosinophilic bronchitis, and adverse reactions to drugs [angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and sitagliptin]) should be treated by avoiding triggers and/or according to guidelines for each underlying disease. In patients with troublesome chronic cough due to unknown causes or persisting even after adequate avoidance of triggers, and/or treatment of the underlying disease(s), a symptomatic approach with neuromodulators and/or speech pathology therapy should be considered. Additional novel promising neuromodulatory agents in clinical development (e.g., P2X3 inhibitors) will hopefully become available in the near future.
Topics: Adult; Asthma; Bronchiectasis; Bronchitis; Chronic Disease; Cough; Humans
PubMed: 32434660
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejim.2020.03.018 -
Cureus Jul 2023Trastuzumab is a recombinant immunoglobulin G1 monoclonal antibody used to treat human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) cancers. Trastuzumab-induced...
Trastuzumab is a recombinant immunoglobulin G1 monoclonal antibody used to treat human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) cancers. Trastuzumab-induced interstitial pneumonitis is a rare adverse effect reported in a few patients. Interstitial pneumonitis presents as symptoms of dyspnea, hypoxia, cough, and fever. If the patient is treated early, corticosteroids can slow or reverse the disease progression. A 41-year-old woman presented with dyspnea and a dry cough three weeks after her third cycle of trastuzumab therapy for breast cancer. A diagnosis of trastuzumab-induced interstitial pneumonitis was made after multiple other disease processes were ruled out. The patient was started on methylprednisolone while inpatient and transitioned to prednisone for outpatient therapy. The patient was maintained on 2-3L of oxygen throughout her hospital stay and was discharged on 3L of oxygen through nasal cannula. Trastuzumab was never restarted after discharge. There have been many trials evaluating the safety, efficacy, and optimal treatment regimen of trastuzumab, but there are only a few reports of interstitial pneumonitis adverse reaction. The lack of correlation and limited cases make this adverse effect very difficult to diagnose and monitor. New trials and case reports can bring an insight into contributing factors, symptoms at onset, and treatment for future patients. With the increase in use of trastuzumab therapy, physicians should be aware of how to diagnose and treat the rare adverse reaction of trastuzumab-induced interstitial pneumonitis.
PubMed: 37602136
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.42116 -
American Family Physician Dec 2023
Topics: Humans; Cough
PubMed: 38215426
DOI: No ID Found -
The Senior Care Pharmacist Jun 2023To review the pharmacotherapy of prescription drugs approved for treatment of chronic dry eye disease (DED). A brief background on DED management and the pharmacist's...
To review the pharmacotherapy of prescription drugs approved for treatment of chronic dry eye disease (DED). A brief background on DED management and the pharmacist's role for care is included. Articles indexed in PubMed (National Library of Medicine), Iowa Drug Information Service, Cochrane Reviews and Trials, and Google Scholar in the past 10 years using the key words "dry eye," "dry eye and treatment," "cyclosporine," "lifitegrast," and "varenicline." Current guidelines and manufacturers' prescribing information were reviewed. Primary sources were used to locate additional resources. Sixty-five publications were reviewed, and criteria supporting the objectives identified useful resources. Selected literature included practice guidelines, review articles, research articles, product prescribing information, and drug information databases. Patient education, eliminating causative factors, improving the daily environment for eye health, and using ocular lubricants are the first steps in DED management. A therapeutic mainstay is ocular lubricants; preservative-free formulations are recommended for chronic or repeated daily use. The Food and Drug Administration approved prescription medications for chronic use for DED, cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion and solution, lifitegrast ophthalmic solution, and varenicline nasal spray, all improve signs and symptoms but do not cure DED. The ophthalmic products all cause ocular discomfort upon instillation. As a nasal spray, varenicline does not cause ocular discomfort, but it can cause sneezing, cough, and throat and nose irritation in some patients. Pharmacists have an opportunity to provide patient education regarding lifestyle modifications to mitigate DED and provide counseling on available products. Emerging therapies may provide advances in DED treatment.
Topics: United States; Humans; Nasal Sprays; Varenicline; Ophthalmic Solutions; Dry Eye Syndromes; Cyclosporins; Prescriptions; Lubricants
PubMed: 37231571
DOI: 10.4140/TCP.n.2023.239 -
Paediatric Respiratory Reviews Dec 2023Cough medicines have been in use for over a century to treat the common and troublesome, but often helpful, symptoms of cough in children. They contain various... (Review)
Review
Cough medicines have been in use for over a century to treat the common and troublesome, but often helpful, symptoms of cough in children. They contain various combinations of "anti-tussive" drugs including opioids, antihistamines, herbal preparations, mucolytics, decongestants and expectorants. Whilst theoretically attractive for symptom relief when children are suffering, as time has passed these popular over the counter medicines have been shown to lack efficacy, delay more serious underlying diagnoses, and can cause complications and sometimes death. This has resulted in clinician concerns, a citizen petition to the American Food and Drug Association in 2007, some self-regulation from manufacturers and escalating restrictions on their use from regulatory agencies across the world over the last twenty years. This article will review the protective role of cough, juxtapose the conflicting treatment goals of suppressing a dry cough and promoting expectoration for a wet cough, consider the evidence basis for prescribing cough medicines in comparison to other more specific treatments such as for asthma [beta agonists] or infection [antibiotics], regulatory interventions, and conclude with the view that over counter cough medicines should not be used in children, especially young children.
Topics: Child; Humans; Child, Preschool; Antitussive Agents; Cough; Expectorants; Histamine Antagonists; Nonprescription Drugs
PubMed: 37718235
DOI: 10.1016/j.prrv.2023.08.003