[Chronic obstructive respiratory diseases: diagnosis and therapy]

It is estimated there are about one half million people suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) today in Hungary. Description of the disease and aspects of the differential procedure used in its diagnosis are here presented. It is crucial to provide individualized treatment for patients with COPD, but smoking is the most important cause of the disease; thus, quitting is the single intervention which can slow the progressive course of the disease. The author presents therapies appropriate for both the stable phase of the disease and its acute exacerbations. Using inhalative anticholinergs is the first step in the treatment schedule, with beta(2)-sympaticomimetics recommended if these are insufficient. The next step up the therapy ladder are the retard theophyllins; long-term glucocorticoids, preferentially by inhalation, may also be needed. Depending on the severity of an acute exacerbation of the disease, various antibiotics are indicated. Rehabilitation programs are detailed, with mention also of patient education; hopefully, such a focus will be of increasing importance to both physicians and patients in the near future.