Scribd
Upload
1K views12 pages

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

COPD is a progressive lung disease characterized by limited airflow. The two main types are emphysema, which causes damage to lung tissue and air sacs, and chronic bronchitis, which involves long-term inflammation of the airways. Symptoms include chronic cough, excess sputum production, shortness of breath with exertion or at rest, weight loss, and a barrel-shaped chest. The primary causes are smoking, occupational exposures, and genetic factors. Prevention focuses on smoking cessation. Complications can include respiratory failure and insufficiency requiring ventilator support.

Uploaded by

jisoo
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
1K views12 pages

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

COPD is a progressive lung disease characterized by limited airflow. The two main types are emphysema, which causes damage to lung tissue and air sacs, and chronic bronchitis, which involves long-term inflammation of the airways. Symptoms include chronic cough, excess sputum production, shortness of breath with exertion or at rest, weight loss, and a barrel-shaped chest. The primary causes are smoking, occupational exposures, and genetic factors. Prevention focuses on smoking cessation. Complications can include respiratory failure and insufficiency requiring ventilator support.

Uploaded by

jisoo
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 12

COPD

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary


Disease
DEFINITION
Is a disease state characterized
by airflow limitation that is not
fully reversible.
Limited airflow; Inability to fully
exhale.
Cases vary among people from
mild to severe……managed with
lifestyle changes and medications
TYPES OF COPD
Emphysema “pink puffers” - is a long-term, progressive
disease of the lungs that primarily causes shortness of
breath due to over-inflation of the alveoli (air sacs in
the lung). In people with emphysema, the lung tissue
involved in exchange of gases (oxygen and carbon
dioxide) is impaired or destroyed.

Chronic bronchitis “blue bloaters” - The inflamed


bronchial tubes produce a lot of mucus. This leads
to coughing and difficulty breathing. Cigarette smoking
is the most common cause. Breathing in air pollution,
fumes, or dust over a long period of time may also
cause it.
BLUE BLOATERS is due to cyanosis from
hypoxia. And bloating from edema and
increase lung volume. The bloating is from
the effects of the lung disease on the heart
which causes right-sided heart failure.

PINK PUFFERS the name comes from


hyperventilation (puffing to breath) and
pink complexion (they maintain a relatively
normal oxygen level due to rapid breathing)
rather than cyanosis as in chronic
bronchitis.
CAUSES
Smoking
Occupational exposure. Prolonged and
intense exposure to occupational dust and
chemicals, indoor air pollution, and outdoor
air pollution all contribute to the
development of COPD.
Genetic abnormalities. The well-
documented genetic risk factor is a
deficiency of alpha1- antitrypsin, an
enzyme inhibitor that protects the lung
parenchyma from injury.
Clinical Manifestations
Chronic cough. Chronic cough is one of the primary
symptoms of COPD.
Sputum production. There is a hyperstimulation of the
goblet cells and the mucus-secreting gland leading to
overproduction of sputum.
Dyspnea on exertion. Dyspnea is usually progressive,
persistent, and worsens with exercise.
Dyspnea at rest. As COPD progress, dyspnea at rest may
occur.
Weight loss. Dyspnea interferes with eating and the work
of breathing is energy depleting.
Barrel chest. In patients with emphysema, barrel chest
thorax configuration results from a more fixed position of
the ribs in the inspiratory position and from loss of
elasticity.
Prevention
Prevention of COPD is never impossible. Discipline and consistency
are the keys to achieving freedom from chronic pulmonary diseases.
Smoking cessation. This is the single most cost-
effective intervention to reduce the risk of developing COPD and to
stop its progression.
Healthcare providers should promote cessation by explaining the
risks of smoking and personalizing the “at-risk” message to the
patient.
Complications
There are two major life-threatening complications of COPD:
respiratory insufficiency and failure.
Respiratory failure. The acuity and the onset of respiratory failure
depend on baseline pulmonary function, pulse oximetry or arterial 
blood gas values, comorbid conditions, and the severity of other
complications of COPD.
Respiratory insufficiency. This can be acute or chronic, and may
necessitate ventilator support until other acute complications can be
treated.

You might also like