Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that causes obstructed airflow from the lungs. It's caused by smoking cigarettes or long-term exposure to irritating gases or particulate matter. Your lungs are directly affected by COPD, because air travels down your trachea and into your lungs through the bronchi. The bronchi are divided into many smaller tubes or bronchioles that end in clusters of tiny air sacs called alveoli. Your lungs rely on the natural elasticity of the bronchioles and alveoli to force air out of your body. COPD causes them to lose their elasticity and over expand, which leaves some air trapped in your lungs when you exhale.
The two most common conditions that affects COPD are emphysema …show more content…
Inflammation and narrowing of the bronchial tubes increases mucus production which blocks the tubes and produces a cough. The most common signs of chronic bronchitis are coughing and mucus production. Signs and symptoms of COPD usually occur as it worsens over time. The most common symptoms are wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath during activity, lack of energy, chest tightness, blueness of lips or fingernail bed, swelling of feet, ankles, and legs, weight gain, and frequent respiratory …show more content…
COPD is commonly misdiagnosed or not diagnosed soon enough. Physicians should do a comprehensive evaluation to determine if COPD is the cause of problems. Some common test include a chest x-ray, arterial blood gas analysis, CT scan, lung function test, and laboratory test to determine if AAt deficiency exist.
COPD is treatable and can be managed through medication or therapy. Common therapy programs for COPD is smoking cessation to help individuals stop smoking to prevent the risk of COPD getting worse. Individuals may need oxygen therapy or pulmonary rehabilitation program. Individual who receive oxygen therapy have to be careful because often times they think more oxygen is better but increasing their oxygen without doctor orders can increase their risk of carbon dioxide retention and lead to failure of the right side of the heart. Individuals who experience acute respiratory distress can be managed with a ventilator before oxygen treatment. Ventilators can help slow the end-stage of the COPD. Ventilators are extremely useful for acute exacerbation of COPD that is caused by influenza, congestive heart failure, or
The two most common conditions that affects COPD are emphysema …show more content…
Inflammation and narrowing of the bronchial tubes increases mucus production which blocks the tubes and produces a cough. The most common signs of chronic bronchitis are coughing and mucus production. Signs and symptoms of COPD usually occur as it worsens over time. The most common symptoms are wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath during activity, lack of energy, chest tightness, blueness of lips or fingernail bed, swelling of feet, ankles, and legs, weight gain, and frequent respiratory …show more content…
COPD is commonly misdiagnosed or not diagnosed soon enough. Physicians should do a comprehensive evaluation to determine if COPD is the cause of problems. Some common test include a chest x-ray, arterial blood gas analysis, CT scan, lung function test, and laboratory test to determine if AAt deficiency exist.
COPD is treatable and can be managed through medication or therapy. Common therapy programs for COPD is smoking cessation to help individuals stop smoking to prevent the risk of COPD getting worse. Individuals may need oxygen therapy or pulmonary rehabilitation program. Individual who receive oxygen therapy have to be careful because often times they think more oxygen is better but increasing their oxygen without doctor orders can increase their risk of carbon dioxide retention and lead to failure of the right side of the heart. Individuals who experience acute respiratory distress can be managed with a ventilator before oxygen treatment. Ventilators can help slow the end-stage of the COPD. Ventilators are extremely useful for acute exacerbation of COPD that is caused by influenza, congestive heart failure, or