-
7/18/2019 epoc
1/3
Chronic obstructive pulmonary diseaseSend this page to a friend
Print Facebook Twitter Bookmark / ShareIt is one of the most common
diseases of the lungs. COPD causes difficulty breathing.
There are two main forms of COPD:
Chronic bronchitis, which implies a prolonged cough with
mucus.Emphysema, which involves damage to the lungs over time.Most
people with COPD have a combination of both conditions.
CausesThe main cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD) is smoking. The more a person smokes, the more likely that
person will develop COPD although somepeople smoke for years and
never get COPD.
EmphysemaOther risk factors for COPD are:
Exposure to certain gases or fumes in the workplace.Exposure to
heavy amounts of pollution or cigarette smoke indirect.Frequent use
of cooking fire without proper ventilation.SYMPTOMS
Cough with or without phlegmFatigueMany respiratory
infectionsShortness of breath (dyspnea) that gets worse with mild
activityDifficulty for airWheezingSince the symptoms of COPD
develop slowly, some people may not know they have the disease.
Exams and TestsThe best test for COPD is a lung function test
called spirometry, which involvesblowing out as hard as you can
into a small machine that tests lung capacity. The results can be
analyzed immediately.
SpirometryUse a stethoscope to listen to the lungs can also be
used, however, sometimes the lungs sound normal even when a person
has COPD.
The images of the lungs (such as X-rays and CT scans) can be
helpful, but sometimes the lungs look normal even when a person has
COPD and has taken a chest radiograph.
Some patients may need to make them a blood test, called a blood
gas analysis tomeasure the amounts of oxygen and carbon dioxide in
the blood.
Treatment
There is no cure for COPD, but there are many steps you can take
to relieve symptoms and prevent the disease from getting worse.
If you smoke, now is the time to quit. This is the best way to
reduce lung damage.
Medications used to treat COPD include:
Inhalers (bronchodilators) to help open the airways.Inhaled or
oral steroids to reduce lung inflammation.
-
7/18/2019 epoc
2/3
Anti-inflammatory medicines to reduce swelling in the airways.In
severe cases or during flare-ups, it may be necessary to
receive:
Steroids by mouth or through a vein
(intravenously).Bronchodilators via a nebulizer.Oxygen
therapy.Assistance during breathing from a machine (through a mask,
BiPAP, or endotracheal tube).Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics
for flare-ups of symptoms, because infections can worsen COPD.
Home oxygen therapy may be needed if you have a low level of
oxygen in the blood.
Pulmonary rehabilitation does not cure COPD, but you can teach
breathe differently so that they can remain active.
LIVING WITH COPD
You can take steps every day to prevent COPD worse, protect your
lungs and stayhealthy.
Walk to increase strength:
Ask your doctor or therapist how you can both walk.Slowly
increase walking distance.Try not to talk when you walk if you have
difficulty breathing.Use breathing through pursed lips as you
exhale to empty your lungs before the next breath.The steps you can
take to make life easier in the home include:
Avoiding very cold air.Ensure that no one smokes in the
house.Reducing air pollution by eliminating fireplace smoke and
other irritants.Eat healthy foods like fish, poultry or lean meat,
like fruits and vegetables. If you find it difficult to maintain
weight, talk to your doctor or a dietitian about getting foods with
more calories.
Surgery can be used to treat COPD, but only a few patients
benefit from these surgical treatments.
Surgery to remove parts of the diseased lung, which can help
other areas less affected work better in some patients with
emphysema.Lung transplantation for severe cases.Support GroupsThe
stress of illness may be eased by joining a support group. Sharing
with others who have common experiences and problems can help you
not feel alone.
Expectations (prognosis)COPD is a term (chronic) disease will
get worse more quickly if you do not quit.
If you have severe COPD, you will experience shortness of breath
with most activities and will be hospitalized more frequently.
Talk to your doctor about respirators and care at the end of
life.
ComplicationsWith COPD, you may have other health problems such
as:
Irregular heartbeat (arrhythmias).
-
7/18/2019 epoc
3/3
Need for breathing machine and oxygen therapy.Right heart
failure or cor pulmonale (heart swelling and heart failure due to
chronic lung disease).Pneumonia.Pneumothorax.Severe weight loss and
malnutrition.Thinning of the bones (osteoporosis).Weakness.Call
your health care providerGo to the emergency room or call the local
emergency number (such as 911 in theUnited States) if you have a
rapid increase in shortness of breath.
PreventionFailure smoking prevents most cases of COPD. Ask your
doctor or health care professional regarding smoking cessation
programs. There is also availability of drugs to help you quit.
Alternative NamesCOPD; Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease;
Chronic obstructive airway disease;Emphysema; Chronic bronchitis;
Chronic bronchitis type
ReferencesAnderson B, Conner K, C Dunn, et al. Institute for
Clinical Systems Improvement.Diagnosis and Management of Chronic
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Updat
ed March 2013. Available at:
https://www.icsi.org/_asset/yw83gh/COPD.pdf.Accessed April 26,
2014.
Balkissoon R, S Lommatzsch, B Carolan, Make B. Chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease: a concise review. Med Clin N Am.
SD Shapiro, JJ Reilly Jr., Rennard SI. Chronic bronchitis and
emphysema. In:. Mason RJ, Broaddus VC, Martin TR, et al, eds.Murray
& Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine
Updated 4/26/2014Version Reviewed By: Denis Hadjiliadis, MD,
Associate Professor of Medicine, Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical
Care, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pe
nnsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD,
MHA, Ogilvie Island, PhD, and the ADAM Editorial team.
Translation and localization by ADAM Logo
Browse the Encyclopedia
