Summary Of COPD

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

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).

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, commonly known as COPD, is a slowly progressive inflammatory respiratory disease that affects the airways in the lungs. This makes it difficult for affected individuals to breath and get enough oxygen into their body. According to health statistics, COPD is the third leading cause of death and disability in the U.S.

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.

The body can develop many different types of inflammatory diseases. One disease in particular is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This disease causes obstruction of airflow from the lungs. It is mostly caused by long term exposure to irritating gases or particulate matter. The number one exposure would be cigarette smoke. There are always risk factors with diseases and disorders that are affecting the body. Individuals who develop COPD are at a greater risk of developing heart disease, lung cancer and a vast variety of other conditions. Some risk factors for COPD include:

COPD is an abbreviated term for the lung disease Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and it is seen in people everyday. It is estimated that this disease affects roughly 24 million individuals in the U.S.. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease occurs in other countries instead of just the United States. It is increasing rapidly and therapies currently do not alter the disease (Gross “Abstract”). Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease can be caused by smoking, environmental factors and or genetic factors, which are the top three risk factors for this disease (COPD Foundation). Although it can be genetic, it is mostly caused by inhaling pollutants.This disease may be slightly treated if not all the way by different breathing techniques and medications. COPD is a lung disease that worsens as it progresses to the point that it may be life threatening, but it can be prevented by staying away or using caution around pollutants such as harsh fumes and cigarette smoke.

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.

The World Health Organization (WHO) (2006A) defines COPD as a disease state characterized by airflow limitation that is not wholly reversible. The airflow limitation is usually both progressive and associated with abnormal inflammatory response of the lungs to noxious particles or gases. John's chronic bronchitis is defined, clinically, as the presence of a chronic productive cough for 3 months in each of 2 successive years, provided other causes of chronic cough have been ruled out. (Mannino, 2003). The British lung Foundation (BLF) (2005) announces that chronic bronchitis is the inflammation and eventual scarring of the lining of the bronchial tubes which is the explanation for John's dyspnea. The BLF (2005) believe that when the bronchi become inflamed less air is able to flow to and from the lungs and once the bronchial tubes have been irritated over a long period of time, excessive mucus is produced. This increased sputum results from an increase in the size and number of goblet cells (Jeffery, 2001) resulting in John's excessive mucus production. The lining of the bronchial tubes becomes thickened and an irritating cough develops, (Waugh & Grant 2004) which is an additional symptoms that john is experiencing.

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.

Cigarette smoking is currently a causal factor in more than 90% of patients in westernised societies, so environmental factors are clearly very important in the disease (4). However, in Caucasians only 10–20% of chronic heavy cigarette smokers develop symptomatic COPD, suggesting that genetic factors are likely to be important in determining which cigarette smokers are at risk from developing airflow obstruction. Furthermore, some patients develop airflow obstruction at an earlier age, again suggesting that genetic factors may determine the progression of

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.

COPD is characterized by chronic inflammation found in the airways lung parenchyma, and pulmonary vasculature (Huether and McCance, 2012). The pathogenesis of COPD is complex and involves many mechanisms. However, the primary process is inflammation (Huether and McCance, 2012). The inflammatory process starts with inhalation of toxic particles and gases. The airways become inflamed, resulting in excess mucus production; Peripheral ways undergo repeated cycles of injury and repair of the airway walls with resultant structural remodeling (Huether and McCance, 2012). The lungs can be inflated quickly but can only partially deflate.

COPD has been considered primarily as a respiratory disease however the importance of extrapulmonary manifestations has not been acknowledged until recenty.64 Epidemiological studies and large clinical trials have helped us to understand the importance of co-morbidities.65 Pathophysiology of COPD focussed on the concept of systemic inflammation, has helped us to explain the higher frequency of major co-morbidities such as metabolic, cardiovascular, skeletal and nutritional disorders that would be seen in these patients in addition to the co-existing conditions that one would naturally expect in elderly patients.

COPD is a systemic disorder characterized by the presence of inflammatory mediators in the circulation which may contribute to skeletal muscle wasting ,cachexia and may initiate or worsen underlying comorbidities such as Ischemic Heart disease ,Heart Failure ,Osteoporosis ,normocytic anemia ,diabetes ,metabolic syndrome and depression .(56) The general physical examination and respiratory examination may be normal in early stage of the disease.