What Is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a lung condition occurrence of either emphysema or bronchitis

. It is regarded as the fourth leading cause of death worldwide by 2030 and in 8 of 10 cases; it is caused by cigarette smoking and secondhand cigarette smoke.

What causes COPD? Or what are its risk factors?

Cigarette smoke is obviously the number one cause

Exhaust from gasoline fuel

Fumes from factories

Air pollution

Long term exposure o lung irritants

Neonatal chronic lung disease

Genetic factors/ familial factors

Alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency

What are its clinical manifestations/ symptoms?

Difficulty breathing

Pallor and eventually cyanosis (bluish hue on extremities)

Chest tightening

Chronic productive cough

Poor capillary refill time (less than 2 seconds)

Presence of phlegm

Wheezing

Fatigue

Weight loss

Irritability

Chronic bronchitis

Chronic Bronchitis is a condition of a chronic inflammation of the bronchi. This is long term and persists during the year. Chronic bronchitis worsens as it intermittently appears. There is persistent productive cough three months in a year for the following consecutive two years without any secondary cause of cough. Heavy secretions form on the airways which affects the lung ventilation. Chronic bronchitis requires medical treatment that is regular. Patients with chronic bronchitis are usually coined as blue bloaters because of the cyanotic extremities and pale skin they show due to the lack of oxygen. Long term tobacco smokers usually have chronic bronchitis since the chemicals on the cigarette greatly contribute to the inflammation of the bronchi. Long term inflammation will eventually lead to permanent lung damage which will narrow the airways and thus result to difficulty of breathing.

Emphysema

This is also a chronic and progressive disease of the lung. The alveoli-air sacs responsible for normal lung ventilation are destroyed. The air sacs have lost their natural ability to recoil which leads to air build up in these air sacs or alveoli; they continue to expand and like an overinflated balloon, burst which eventually forms scar tissue. This then results to dyspnea or the main symptom of the patient which is the difficulty of breathing. Due to these malfunctioned air sacs, less oxygen is delivered into the bloodstream rendering the patients difficulty with exhalation. Emphysema is irreversible however; its progression can be slowed down. Patients with emphysema are usually coined as pink puffers because when there is difficulty with exhalation, carbon dioxide is also difficult to exhale. In emphysema, the elasticity of the lungs are affected because of the smoke and other irritants.

What is the treatment?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease cannot be cured, however, it can be slowed down and the symptoms managed by:Quit smokingAvoid triggers especially fumes and irritantsPractice breathing exercisesEat the right foodsIncrease fluid intake with the right fluidsHave plenty of restThe doctor may prescribe bronchodilators and corticosteroidsLung rehabilitationBasic life support is useful in emergency cases such as when the person with COPD is no longer breathing. by: Keith Harper

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