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COPD/Emphysema
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
- Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are the most common conditions that make up COPD. Damage to the lungs from COPD can't be reversed.
- Symptoms include shortness of breath, wheezing, or a chronic cough.
- Rescue inhalers and inhaled or oral steroids can help control symptoms and minimize further damage.This condition is mainly found in not just primary smokers, but also in the second hand smokers. It is a group of lung diseases that block airflow and make it difficult to breathe.
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After a certain length of time, the air sacs no longer bounce back to their original shape. The airways can become swollen and/or thicker than normal, and may increase the production of mucus production. Due to the floppy airways they become blocked and/or obstructed, making it much harder for air to escape the lungs.
Pathophysiology
This complex condition is comprised of airway inflammation, mucociliary dysfunction and consequent airway structural changes. is characterized by chronic inflammation of the airways, lung tissue and pulmonary blood vessels as a result of exposure to inhaled irritants such as tobacco smoke ...
Statistics say...
COPD/Emphysema is characterized by chronic inflammation of the airways, lung tissue and pulmonary blood vessels as a result of exposure to inhaled irritants such as tobacco smoke ...
A Better Understanding about COPD
Complications Patients May Experience
- Cor Pulmonale-Lower extremity edema (swelling) in a patient with COPD is usually a sign of cor pulmonale (pulmonary hypertension and right-sided heart failure). COPD makes the heart work harder, especially the right side, which pumps blood into the lungs. Because of poor gas exchange in COPD, there are decreased amounts of oxygen in the blood causing blood vessels to constrict.
- Acute Exacerbations- Cough and sputum production increases. Wheezing is often increased or noted for the first time. Dyspnea (shortness of breath) is increased or apparent for the first time. Exacerbations are caused by bronchial infections in most instances.
- End-Stage Lung Disease- When respiratory failure occurs in a patient who has end-stage lung disease, there is a slow decline in lung function and rising levels of carbon dioxide in the blood. The increasing carbon dioxide creates a narcotic effect in the patient, who slowly loses consciousness and stops breathing.
Understanding COPD