COPD Case Study Essay

METHODS: The study included 400 COPD patients. COPD diagnosis was defined by GOLD criteria (FEV1/FVC < .70 post-bronchodilator). Information was collected on the following comorbidities: heart diseases, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipemia, anemia,osteopenia&osteoporosis, muscle weakness,pneumonia, lung cancer, gastroesophageal reflux and psychological conditions .

Dyspnea, the most common symptom of COPD, comes on gradually and is first noticed during physical exertion or during acute exacerbations

D.Z., a 65-year-old man, is admitted to a medical floor for exacerbation of his chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD; emphysema). He has a past medical history of hypertension, which has been well controlled by Enalapril (Vasotec) for the past 6 years. He has had pneumonia yearly for the past 3 years, and has been a 2-pack-a-day smoker for 38 years. He appears as a cachectic man who is experiencing difficulty breathing at rest. He reports cough productive of thick yellow-green sputum. D.Z. seems irritable and anxious; he complains of sleeping poorly and states that lately feels tired most of the time. His vital signs (VS) are 162/84, 124, 36, 102 F, SaO2 88%. His admitting diagnosis is an acute

There are no cure for this disease. However, there are different treatment to prevent further deterioration of the lungs function in order to improve the quality of life of the patient by increasing capacity of their physical activity. One of the main severe complication a patient with COPD can develop is exacerbation. Increased breathlessness, increased sputum volume and purulent sputum are the signs and symptoms of exacerbation. Early detection of the signs of exacerbation can help keep the condition of the patient from worsening. The treatments of COPD mainly aims at controlling the symptoms of exacerbation such as taking inhalers. Patients who are over the age of 35 and ex-smokers with chronic cough and bronchitis are recommended to have spirometer (NICE, 2004). This is because it is possible to delay or prevent patients from developing severe case of COPD is identified before they lose their lungs functions. Oxygen therapy is another treatment for COPD as the patients with this condition has high

D.Z.is a 65-year-old man admitted to medical ward with an exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD; emphysema). Past medical history (PMH) indicates hypertension (HTN), well managed with enalapril (Vasotec) past six years, diagnosis (Dx) of pneumonia yearly for the past three years. D.Z. appears cachectic with difficulty breathing at rest. Patient reports productive cough with thick yellow-green sputum. He seems anxious and irritable during subjective data collection. He states, he has been a 2-pack-a-day smoker for 38 years. He complains of (c/o) insomnia and

R.W. appears with progressive difficulty getting his breath while doing simple tasks, and also having difficulty doing any manual work, complains of a cough, fatigue, and weight loss, and has been treated for three respiratory infections a year for the past 3 years. On physical examination, CNP notice clubbing of his fingers, use accessory muscles for respiration, wheezing in the lungs, and hyperresonance on percussion of the lungs, and also pulmonary function studies show an FEV1 of 58%. These all symptoms and history represented here most strongly indicate the probability of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD is a respiratory disease categorized by chronic airway inflammation, a decrease in lung function over time, and gradual damage in quality of life (Booker, 2014).

The study included 100 patients with COPD. All patients fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria. According to its demographic and clinical parameters and treatment groups differ among themselves. Completed the study, all patients included in the study. The therapy in all patients with a clinically meaningful improvement of symptoms was observed.

The main symptoms of COPD are long lasting cough, mucus that come up when you cough, and when you exercise (or even just walk up the stairs) shortness of breath can get worse. When COPD gets worse, it gets harder to eat or exercise, and breathing takes much more energy. People often lose weight and get weaker. Symptoms might even flare up and get much worse. This is called COPD exacerbation. An exacerbation can range from mild to life threatening. The longer you have this disease, the more severe the flare up can get.

History of Present Illness: Ms. Babula is a very pleasant 76-year-old woman who was previously seen in this office by Elvira Aguila, MD for moderate COPD by pulmonary function testing in 2010. She is currently on monotherapy with Atrovent p.r.n. and she has not used her bronchodilators for quite some time. She does have some stable dyspnea on exertion, which does not limit any of her activities. She does take care of an 18-month-old child as well. She denies any cough, though she does feel that she has some chest congestion in the morning. She denies any chest pain or wheezing.

How would you describe the pathophysiology of COPD and comorbid heart failure to Charlie, considering that he has no medical knowledge/background?

The lung function tests showed a moderate degree of airflow obstruction with normal gas transfer factor which would be consistent with moderate degree COPD.

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.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) includes the illnesses; emphysema, chronic bronchitis and chronic asthma – separately or in conjunction with each other. COPD can be caused by smoking cigarettes, long-term exposure to pollutants or irritants (such as chemicals) or genetics factors.

The R.S is likely to show signs of wheezing in his breathing and a productive cough/sputum. These coughs could last for months. Shortness of breath and chest discomfort are also common in patients with chronic bronchitis. The R.S. could be suffering from hypoxemia (low oxygen in the blood) and polycythemia (over production of hemoglobin in the blood due to the RBC's trying to compensate for the lungs not working to their full potential). Cardiac failure could be present, which is important in this case due to the fact that our R.S. has a history of coronary artery disease. Emphysematous COPD clinical findings include shortness of breath and intermittent dyspnea (difficulty in breathing). Dyspnea in this case is progressive and the R.S. could

Ineffective breathing pattern related to decreased oxygen saturation, poor tissue perfusion, obesity, decreased air entry to bases of both lungs, gout and arthritic pain, decreased cardiac output, disease process of COPD, and stress as evidenced by shortness of breath, BMI > 30 abnormal breathing patterns (rapid, shallow breathing), abnormal skin colour (slightly purplish), excessive diaphoresis, nasal flaring and use of accessory muscles, statement of joint pain, oxygen saturations of 85-95% 2L NP, immobility 95% of the day, and adventitious sounds throughout lungs (crackles) secondary to CHF, hypertension, pain caused by gout and arthritis, and obesity