1. A disease of the lungs wherein the patient experiences difficulty in breathing which aggravates over time, is called Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease or COPD. It is associated with other lung diseases such as chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and refractory (irreversible) asthma. The symptoms include coughing (with or without phlegm), frequent respiratory infection, blueness of the lips or fingernail beds (cyanosis), tightness in the chest, shortness of breath, and wheezing.
2. It has been found that cigarette smoking is the main cause of COPD. Exposure to air pollution, chemicals, fumes, dust, secondhand smoking and other harmful substances that irritate the lungs may cause COPD. Other causes may be genetic in nature.
3. According to the American Lung Association, “Approximately 85 to 90 percent of COPD cases are caused by smoking. Female smokers are nearly 13 times as likely to die from COPD as women who have never smoked; male smokers are nearly 12 times likely to die from COPD as men who have never smoked”. In the United States, 6.3% of the population have COPD and it is third among the leading causes of death.
4. COPD can be diagnosed based on the symptoms, the history of the patient, and by undergoing some tests. These tests are designed to detect if the lungs are still functioning normally. Spirometry measures how much air is blown, and the speed of the air blown by the patient through a mouthpiece attached to the machine; while an arterial blood gas test checks the efficiency of the lungs in carrying oxygen and eliminating carbon dioxide from the blood.
5. The medications prescribed for COPD patients via inhalers or nebulizers are (1) Bronchodilators, which help keep the airways open by relaxing the muscles around them and thus allowing the patient to breathe. However, these medications only last for 4 -6 hours (short-acting) and 12 hours (long-acting). (2) Anti-inflammatory medicines such as corticosteroids or steroids, which help decrease the swelling around the air passages and lessen the production of phlegm, making it easier for the patient to breath. However, these medications have the following contraindications: cataracts, diabetes, osteoporosis, weight increase and the patient becomes more prone to infection.
Other treatments include (1) Surgery, to remove the damaged parts of the lungs. This procedure is for patients with severe conditions of COPD. It is very costly and requires the patient to be strong enough to undergo the surgery. (2) Lung Transplant, to replace lungs that are no longer functioning properly. This is usually the last option for lung failure. Unfortunately, there is a shortage in the number of available donors and is also a very expensive procedure. (3) Pulmonary Rehabilitation, which helps the patient regain their vitality in order to be active again. The patients are encouraged to train and exercise. They are given the proper education about their condition and the proper diet. They are also given counseling to address their psychological and emotional needs. (4) Supplemental Oxygen is given to patients who are having severe difficulties in breathing.
6. Millions of patients have been diagnosed with COPD and many more people may not be aware that they have it. The symptoms become severe as time goes by and can be debilitating. Currently, there is no cure for COPD and the damage to the lungs and the air passages are irreversible. Nevertheless, medications, other treatments, rehabilitation, and altering the lifestyle can help the patient remain functional, emotionally stable and delay the advancement of the disease.
References
According to the American Lung Association, “Approximately 85 to 90 percent of COPD cases are caused by smoking. Female smokers are nearly 13 times as likely to die from COPD as women who have never smoked; male smokers are nearly 12 times likely to die from COPD as men who have never smoked” (American Lung Association, COPD Symptoms, Causes & Risk Factors section, n.d., para. Smoking)
(n.d.). In What is COPD?. (National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute) Retrieved Aug. 8, 2016, from http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/copd#
(n.d.). In What is COPD?. (COPD Foundation) Retrieved Aug. 8, 2016, from http://www.copdfoundation.org/What-is-COPD/Understanding-COPD/What-is-COPD.aspx
(n.d.) In COPD.(American Lung Association) Retrieved Aug. 8, 2016, from http://www.lung.org/lung-health-and-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/copd/
