Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Case Study

Chronic bronchitis, emphysema and chronic asthma are the main three conditions that make up COPD. Emphysema causes

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 cause of COPD is from long term smokers and also from people who smoke marijuana which increases a higher risk of COPD. Normally it begins with a cold or infection of the pharynx. Chest pain along with coughing having shortness of breath, and wheezing

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is in the top five principal cause of death in the U.S. The disease is an abnormal inflammatory reaction in the lungs with limited airflow. COPD characteristically arises around the age 35. Smoking continues to be the main source of COPD, but is not the only known root cause. In many studies, smoking explanations for at least three fourths of COPD cases ("Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease | University of Maryland Medical Center," n.d.). Stopping smoking has been known to improve lung capabilities and help to prevent death from COPD. Genetic conditions and introductions to airborne toxins, irritants and gasses are correspondingly involved in the growth of the illness. A complete treatment plan could comprise of lifestyle changes, one or more medications, patient education, oxygen therapy respiratory rehabilitation, and surgery ("Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease | University of Maryland Medical Center," n.d.).

These diseases are mainly caused by the use of tobacco, but also can be triggered from pollution in the air. People who are in contact with second-hand smoke may also experience COPD. Other risk-factors include poorly ventilated homes and fuels that burn during cooking. People 40 years of age or older and have some history of smoking are at increased risk for developing this condition. More than 11 million people are diagnosed with chronic obstruction pulmonary disease.

COPD can be caused by a number of things, but the biggest risk factor is smoking. Other inhalable toxins can also cause

Smoking cigarettes is the leading cause of COPD. Most patients diagnosed with COPD are smokers or have smoked in the past. Prolonged exposure to substances that cause lung inflammation or other exasperations, such as air pollution, chemical fumes or dust, can also contribute to a diagnosis of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Other causes of COPD are second hand smoking (smoke in the air from other people smoking), air pollution, or chemical exhausts, or contaminated dust from the environment. Also, if you have a genetic condition of low level of alpha-1 antitrypsin which is a protein made in the liver (AAT) the deficiency can result in a lung impairment and COPD if you are exposed to smoke or other lungs irritation. At the same time if you have this condition and smoke it can worsen you COPD quickly.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is a disease that effects the respiratory system. It is a progressive disease, which means the get gets worse as time passes ("What Is COPD?"). Although their are different types of COPD, the common similarity in the disease is increasing breathlessness. The main symptoms are increasing of breathlessness, frequent coughing, wheezing and tightness in the chest. One major issue is that when people age they assume that these COPD symptoms are symptoms of aging. People think their bodies are just waring out. This makes it hard to diagnose people with the disease, because they are unaware of the symptoms.

Based on the findings from the case study was R.S has been a smoker for many years. One of the most significant risk factors for determining COPD is cigarette smoking. In determining this we need to the amount he has smoked as well as how often he has smoked that lead to the chronic bronchitis. What that means is that the airway mainly the bronchi is inflamed. Since it is chronic, which is a specific condition has been occurring for many years. This kind of diagnosis can lead to the coronary artery disease and peripheral arterial vascular disease.

There are many types of diseases to write over but this time I will write over Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (also called COPD) is a group of different of lung diseases that can block the windpipe and can make it difficult to breath. Bronchitis is one of the many different types of Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) bronchitis is increased mucus and inflammation in the esophagus. Another type of COPD is emphysema which is the destruction and enlargement of airspaces which can cause coughing or wheezing. Some symptoms of Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can be shortness of breath, wheezing, or a cough. Rescue inhalers and inhaled or oral steroids can help control symptoms of COPD. The most common cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is smoking.

A majority of the people whom are diagnosed with COPD are current smokers or were former smoker for many years. Not only does cigarette smoke cause COPD, but so does cigar smoke, pipe smoke, and secondhand smoke. According to Healthline, “among smokers, 20 to 30 percent develop COPD” (Pietrangelo). Generally, people who develop COPD are either in their 40s or 50s. According to World Health Organization (WHO), “the disease now affects men and women almost equally, due in part to increased tobacco use among women in high-income countries” (World Health Organization). COPD can have quite minor symptoms to begin with, and most of the time people can mistake the symptoms for the common cold. Some of the symptoms of COPD include, “occasional shortness of breath, especially after exercise, mild but recurrent cough, needing to clear your throat often, especially first thing in the morning” (Pietrangelo). Some people may also experience wheezing, coughing, chronic coughing with mucus, fatigue, swelling of feet or ankles, and also weight loss. These symptoms can be common amongst a lot of diseases, and people who currently smoke regularly are at higher

There are many factors that contribute to the diagnosis of COPD. Smoking is the most common cause behind the disease. According to Healthline Networks,

Some of the laboratory testing used to identify COPD are arterial blood gas and increased hematocrit levels. Arterial blood gas testing will reveals hypoxemia and hypercarbia due to the retention

important test of an individuals physical health since unhealthy levels can lead to heart attacks,