Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Hippocrates believes that dyspnoea develop from “phlegm” transiting from brain to the heart; however, it actually comprises of an intricate interaction of physiological, psychosocial, social, and environmental factors (1). Dyspnoea is known as difficulty of breathing or suffocation which originated from the Greek word “dus” which means difficult and “pnoe” which is breathing (2). It can be define as a term used to distinguish subjective experience of breathing discomfort that varies in intensity…

Early signs of COPD can be usually defined as a repeated coughing with production of mucous. Coughing daily could be a sign of serious lung condition because this isn’t a normal human behavior. Those who have a history of exposure to lung irritants such as smokers, mine workers or people in contact with air pollution, should consider taking breathing test called spirometry with their physician. The sooner COPD is diagnosed the better it is for patient outcomes. Once after COPD is identified…

•Respiratory distress syndrome is a condition where fluid collects in the lungs air sacs, preventing the flow of oxygen to the organs. •Some common causes of respiratory distress syndrome are: inhaling of a toxic substance, things such as, salt water, smoke, chemicals, developing a blood infection and developing of a lung infection like pneumonia. Risk factors for this condition include: a sibling that had respiratory distress syndrome, mother that had diabetes, c-section or labor delivery…

Asthma is a disease that affects lungs airways. A person with asthma always has inflamed airways. When something triggers symptoms, airways become more swollen and muscles around the airways tighten. This swelling and tightening causes troubles with breathing, and can trigger shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, or chest tightness. For many people who suffer from asthma, symptoms occur when they do physical activity. Some healthy people develop asthma only when they exercise. This is…

appliances and other dressing adhesives; generalized rashes from latex allergies; blisters (or bullae) due to dressing adhesives or fixation tapes; eczema associated with dermatitis and venous stasis disease; hyperkeratosis (thick scaly skin) often seen in patients with lymphoedema or venous stasis disease; paper thin skin and purpura due to long term steroid therapy; dehydrated skin due to acute illness or nutritional compromise generally; and excoriated skin conditions from prolonged exposure…

“What is asthma?” You may be wondering. Well, asthma is a condition affecting your respiratory system, which makes breathing difficult. This condition is common, since the estimated amount of people having it is 300 million. Though it is common, that doesn't mean that it isn't harmful. There are different types of asthma, depending on the seriousness. However, the treatments and diagnosis is the same. What causes Asthma? Asthma triggers. Exposure to allergens can trigger the signs of asthma.…

For my informative article I chose to write and research asthma because I have it and wanted to learn more about it and how to live with it. I also have multiple friends who have this noncommunicable disease and would love to help them as well. So many people from young children to adults are having to live with asthma and from my own experience it can be hard. Especially when it comes to activities you love to do. Asthma is when you bronchial tubes get irritated by either physical activities…

of patients never complete the PR program once started (Hayton, Clark, Olive, Browne, & Galey, 2013). Explaining the difficulties of rural healthcare access Holland, Mahl, Lee & Burge (2016) state: Despite compelling evidence for its benefits, pulmonary rehabilitation is delivered to fewer than 10% of the people with COPD who would benefit. Access is particularly challenging in rural settings, where COPD is often prevalent and programmes may…

lungs.  Bronchodilator Reversibility test is the same as the spirometry test except the patient is given a bronchodilator, which is a medication that opens the airway. This helps exclude other things like asthma.  Chest X-rays help rule out other diseases with similar symptoms like pneumonia, congestive heart failure, and cancer. You may not be able to diagnosis COPD from…

Mrs. White’s COPD is triggered mainly by her history of cigarette smoking. The noxious substances in cigarette smoke initiate the production of Tumor Necrosis Factor-a (TNF-a) and release of inflammatory mediators by macrophages and epithelial cells. In fact, the activated cells in COPD inflammation secrete a number of mediators. These include a variety of active proteinases, toxic peptides, and oxidants which damage lung structures and sustain inflammatory processes (_____). The resulting…