Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Disease information

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Chronic obstruction of the airways due to chronic bronchitis, emphysema or a combination of both.

It affects more than 50 million people in the western world.

It affects more men than women, although the differences are disappearing.

Forecast.

Gradual decrease in respiratory function.

The younger patients have better prognosis, if they follow the rules therapeutic.

Forecast worsens with:

Live at altitudes above 2, 000 meters.

Advanced age.

Complications.

Frequent infections.

Anxiety and depression.

Cardiac and circulatory problems:

pulmonary hypertension.

cor pulmonale.

Secondary polycythemia (excess of blood cells, which thickens the blood)

terminal respiratory failure.

Lung Cancer.

Diagnosis and Treatment.

The diagnosis is made through the clinic, blood tests and studies of lung function.

It may also be necessary to X - rays and CAT or R. M. N. lung.

General Measures.

Install air conditioning filters.

Hydration.

Bronchial hygiene with postural drainage and respiratory therapy.

Vaccinations against colds and flu.

Medication.

Antibiotic therapy.

Corticosteroids with caution.

Anxiolytic and antidepressant restraint.

Replacement therapy with aerosol antitrypsin deficiency.

Contribution of oxygen therapy if needed.

Prevention.

Avoid:

Snuff and snuff the smoke of others.

Exposure to chemical irritants.

Neumoconióticos exposure to dust (which affect the lungs)

Signs and symptoms.

There are no symptoms at first.

Decline in the depth of breaths.

Production of sputum.

Bronchial infections.

Weight loss.

In advanced stages:

Dyspnea (shortness of breath)

Cyanosis (blue color of skin and mucous membranes)

Cardiac involvement (Cor pulmonale) in advanced stages.

Risk Factors.

Smoking.

Passive smoking.

Aging.

Family history of allergies and respiratory disorders.

Causes.

The damage to the respiratory tract occurs by:

Smoking (active or passive)

Environmental pollution.

Exposure to chemical or powders.

Enzyme deficiency (alfa1 antitrypsin)

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