Transcript of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
- 1. Understanding Lung Disease
- 2. What is COPD? A set of lung diseases that limit air flow and
is not fully reversible. COPD patients report they are hungry for
air Usually progressive and is associated with inflammation of the
lungs as they respond to noxious particles or gases Potentially
preventable with proper precautions and avoidance of precipitating
factors Symptomatic treatment is available
- 3. In COPD, less air flows in and out of the airways because of
one or more of the following: 1. The airways and air sacs lose
their elastic quality. 2. The walls between many of the air sacs
are destroyed. 3. The walls of the airways become thick and
inflamed. 4. The airways make more mucus than usual, which tends to
clog them.
- 4. Two Major Causes of COPD Chronic Bronchitis is characterized
by Chronic inflammation and excess mucus production Presence of
chronic productive cough Emphysema is characterized by Damage to
the small, sac-like units of the lung that deliver oxygen into the
lung and remove the carbon dioxide Chronic cough
- 5. What Are the Symptoms?
- 6. Primary Symptoms Chronic Bronchitis Chronic cough Shortness
of breath Increased mucus Frequent clearing of throat Emphysema
Chronic cough Shortness of breath Limited activity level
- 7. Normal versus Diseased Bronchi
- 8. Emphysema
- 9. Smoking Most common cause, however, as many of 1 out of 6
people with COPD never smoked Environmental exposure Chemicals,
dusts, fumes Secondhand smoke, pollutants Genetic Factor Alpha-1
antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency
- 10. What can cause COPD? Smoking is the primary risk factor
Long-term smoking is responsible for 80-90 % of cases Smoker,
compared to non-smoker, is 10 times more likely to die of COPD
Prolonged exposures to harmful particles and gases from:
Second-hand smoke, Industrial smoke, Chemical gases, vapors, mists
& fumes Dusts from grains, minerals & other materials
- 11. Difference between COPD and Asthma In COPD there is
permanent damage to the airways. The narrowed airways are fixed,
and so symptoms are chronic (persistent). Treatment to open up the
airways, is therefore limited. In asthma there is inflammation in
the airways which makes the muscles in the airways constrict. This
causes the airways to narrow. The symptoms tend to come and go, and
vary in severity from time to time. Treatment to reduce
inflammation and to open up the airways usually works well. COPD is
more likely than asthma to cause a chronic (ongoing) cough with
sputum.
- 12. Contd Night time waking with breathlessness or wheeze is
common in asthma and uncommon in COPD. COPD is rare before the age
of 35 whilst asthma is common in under-35.
- 13. Ways to prevent or slow the progression of COPD Stop
smoking, if you smoke, to prevent further damage to your body
Smoking cessation is critical for all severities of COPD Avoid or
protect yourself from exposures to Second-hand smoke and Other
substances such as chemical vapors, fumes, mists, dusts, and diesel
exhaust fumes that irritate your lungs
- 14. How is COPD Treated? COPD can be managed, but not cured
Treatment is different for each individual and is based on severity
of the symptoms Early diagnosis and treatment can Slow progress of
the disease Relieve symptoms Improve an individuals ability to stay
active Prevent and treat complications Improve quality of life
- 15. When should you see your doctor? If smoker, see doctor for
baseline evaluation of your lungs When first experiencing shortness
of breath or having other lung symptoms When your symptoms get
worse Seek emergency medical treatment if: Breathing suddenly
becomes more difficult If diagnosed with chronic bronchitis,
emphysema or COPD, see doctor 1-2 times yearly to review your
treatment plan
- 16. Questions?