Asthma And COPD

COPD is one of the greatest causes of disability and mortality in the twenty first century with future predictions painting an even graver story. Occupation, genome, and primarily smoking are the main causes of COPD. COPD is the third leading cause of death in America, claiming the lives of 134,676 Americans in 2010. Symptoms are typical of a constant smokers cough which progresses into the debilitating palliative stage of the disease; the development of co-morbidities exacerbates these symptoms. COPD has a complex pathophysiology involving hyperinflation, excessive mucus production and airway remodeling; diagnosis is through lung function tests. COPD is poorly managed with few effective treatments and a poor

A. has a history of smoking for 50 years and being diagnosed with COPD 2 years ago. Development of COPD and its exacerbations may be a leading caused by bacteria, viruses, or environmental pollutants, including cigarette smoke. Coussa, et al, “Expiratory flow limitation (EFL), as a consequence of airway inflammation is the pathophysiological hallmark of COPD.” Exacerbations fundamentally reflect acute worsening of EFL and there is evidence for both increased airway inflammatory activity and worsening airway obstruction as likely explanations.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is preventable disease that has a detrimental effects on both the airway and lung parenchyma (Nazir & Erbland, 2009). COPD categorises emphysema and chronic bronchitis, both of which are characterised by a reduced maximum expiratory flow and slow but forced emptying of the lungs (Jeffery 1998). The disease has the one of the highest number of fatalities in the developed world due to the ever increasing amount of tobacco smokers and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality (Marx, Hockberger & Walls, 2014). Signs and symptoms that indicate the presence of the disease include a productive cough, wheezing, dyspnoea and predisposing risk factors (Edelman et al., 1992).

Let us first discuss your recent diagnosis of COPD. You may have wondered what COPD is and what caused it. Excellent questions! COPD stands for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2016). Chronic inflammation obstructs your airflow, resulting in trouble breathing and excess mucus production. So what exactly causes that chronic inflammation? Cigarette smoke and other noxious gases cause this inflammation in your lungs and airway (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2016). Not everyone who smokes gets COPD. Also, not everyone who has COPD smokes. Workplace exposure to noxious gases can also lead to COPD. Additionally, there is a genetic disorder that causes an underproduction of a lung protecting protein (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2016).

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is an ailment defined by irreversible airway limitation. COPD is an umbrella term covering emphysema, in which there is destruction and enlargement of the lung alveoli, chronic bronchitis, characterized by chronic cough and phlegm production, and small airways disease, a condition in which airways are narrowed.2 Cigarette smoking is responsible for most cases of COPD and is responsible for 90% of the risk for developing COPD.3 Patients who do not smoke can also develop COPD via recurrent infections, exposure to fumes or pollution, and second hand smoking.2 Genetic factors have been found to increase the risk of developing COPD, most notably Alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency, which is present in 1to 2% of COPD patients.2 COPD currently affects more than 10 million Americans and holds a spot as the fourth leading cause of death.2 The National Health Interview Survey reports the

All over the world, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a very significant and prevalent cause of morbidity and mortality, and it is increasing with time (Hurd, 2000; Pauwels, 2000; Petty, 2000). Due to the factor of COPD being an underdiagnosed and undertreated disease, the epidemiology (Pauwels, Rabe, 2004) is about 60 to 85 % with mild or moderate COPD remaining undiagnosed (Miravitlles et al., 2009; Hvidsten et al., 2010).

Although not curable, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a familiar, treatable, but avoidable disease that is still a huge health problem in the United States. According to the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease, “COPD is the fourth leading cause of chronic morbidity and mortality in the United States and is projected to rank fifth in 2020 as a worldwide problem according to a study published by the World Bank/World Health Organization.”1 Mortality from COPD is also expected to increase despite medical advances in the treatment of the disease.

Based on a case study for a 76 year old female, Betty White, presenting to a medical ward with an acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), this paper will firstly outline a brief summary of COPD and discuss the associated risk factors. Secondly, the patient’s information will be summarised. From the perspective of the primary Registered Nurse, this paper will detail steps of an initial clinical assessment of the patient. In doing this, the priorities and considerations involved in order to provide best patient care for this scenario will be addressed. A discussion of information and suggested interventions will be integrated as to how the nurse shall develop a plan of care. Furthermore, it will outline

The lungs of an individual with COPD experience symptoms of both chronic bronchitis and emphysema. With bronchitis, airways are constantly irritated causing those structures become inflamed and thick. Also, excess mucous production causes blockage. Emphysema is a condition where the walls of the alveoli are damaged. Airways lose their elasticity so the amount of gas exchange is limited. The body’s tissues are deprived of oxygen and exhaling carbon dioxide becomes more difficult. Overall, the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide is less than normal and shortness of breath becomes increasingly more prevalent. Symptoms worsen over time.

COPD is a progressive disease that makes it difficult to breath. Loss of elasticity, the destruction of the air sacs (emphysema), airways becomes thick and inflamed (chronic bronchitis), and/or increased mucus thickness that blocks the airways. Smoking is the most common cause of COPD, however it can be caused by a long exposure to irritants to the lung, such as chemicals. COPD can be directly related to four different causes. COPD does not have a cure, it can only be managed.

Smoking is a major contributor to the development of COPD, with approximately 90 percent of the people suffering with COPD are current or previous smokers.

COPD is a lung disease that makes a person hard to breath. This can cause damage to the lung over the years and this is usually caused from smoking. COPD is a mix of two diseases chronic bronchitis is the airway that carry air to the lung that causes the lung to inflame and make a lot of mucus. This can cause or block the airways that will make it hard to breath. Then there is emphysema where this is a healthy person, Tiny air sacs in the lungs and look like balloons. As the person breathe when inhaling and exhaling. Emphysema are air sacs that damage and lose their stretch. This will cause for less air to get in and out the lungs, in which it will make you feel out of breath.

Chronic pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma are very common inflammatory disease of the respiratory tract. COPD and asthma are two primary causes of people having to be on disability. One of the main triggers of these two common diseases is decreased lung function, due to bacterial infections.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, also known as COPD, is the third leading cause of death in the United States. COPD includes extensive lungs diseases such as emphysema, non-reversible asthma, specific forms of bronchiectasis, and chronic bronchitis. This disease restricts the flow of air in and out of the lungs. Ways in which these limitations may occur include the loss of elasticity in the air sacs and throughout the airways, the destruction of the walls between air sacs, the inflammation or thickening of airway walls, or the overproduction of mucus in airways which can lead to blockage. Throughout this paper I am going to explain the main causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and ways to reduce COPD.

Encompassed primarily by two conditions, emphysema and chronic bronchitis, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) refers to a group of diseases of a debilitating and progressive nature that cause inflammation of the airway and interferes with the ability to breathe (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute [NHLBI], 2013). The diseases in COPD have some shared characteristics, including a progressive and irreversible limitation of the airflow associated with an abnormal inflammation of the peripheral bronchioles and considerable damage to lung parenchyma (NHLBI, 2013). In the United States (US), there are approximately 15.7 million adults diagnosed with COPD, although estimates suggest that these figures are higher