(National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute: Disease and Conditions Index, 2007) VI. PREVENTION of PROGRESSION of COPD

Progression of COPD is, first and foremost, approached through addressing smoking cessation by the individual and this includes refraining from being with those who smoke and being in locations where smokers will be present. Secondly, it is important to keep away from other lung irritants to include: (1) pollution; (2) dust; (3) certain cooking or heating fumes; and (4) the outside air when air quality is rated as 'poor'.

VII. Management and PREVENTION of PROBLEMS

Individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are known to have symptoms of the disease that worsen suddenly causing the individual to have more difficulty in breathing. Tightness in the chest may also worsen suddenly accompanied by an increase in coughing, a change in mucus production, and a fever. If these symptoms occur suddenly the individual should notify their doctor immediately so that the doctor can attempt to identify the cause of the sudden onset of the worsening of these symptoms which might be due to infection of the lungs. If this is the case, the doctor will prescribe antibiotics to combat the infection and may prescribe medications in addition to those already used to assist with breathing problems. The individual is recommended to call the doctor if:

1) They have great difficulty in breathing;

2) if difficulty in speaking is experienced;

3) if the individual's lips of fingernails turn a bluish gray;

4) if the individual is not mentally alert;

5) if the individual experienced a very rapid heartbeat; and 6) if treatment at home does is not effective in treating the symptoms which are worse than usual. (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute: Disease and Conditions Index, 2007)

SUMMARY and CONCLUSION

This...

It cannot be stressed nearly enough that if an individual smokes, the first and most critically important step in addressing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD is to quit smoking and to do so immediately. While COPD is not contagious, it is a disease that has no cure however, there are ways to manage and prevent worsening of this disease, which have been related in this work to include pulmonary rehabilitation with the components of exercise training, nutrition advice; education about the disease and management of the disease; and counseling. Management of this disease is accomplished through use of bronchodilators either of a short- or fast-acting nature depending upon the severity of the disease in the individual. The individual should avoid inhaling dust, pollution and certain chemicals and should avoid frequenting locations known to be frequented by smokers. If the symptoms of the disease suddenly worsen, it is critically important that the individual contact their doctor as antibiotics may be needed to combat infection.
Bibliography

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (2003) Journal of the American Medical Association Vol. 290 No. 17 5 November 2003. Online available at http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/290/17/2362

COPD: Treating COPD (2006) NIH Senior Health 6 Jan 2006 national Institute on Aging. U.S. National Library of Medicine Online available at http://nihseniorhealth.gove/copd/treatingcopd/02.html.

How Can COPD Be Prevented from Progressing (2007) National Heart Lung and Blood Institute: Disease and Conditions Index. Online available at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Copd_Prevention.html

How is COPD Treated? (2007) National Heart Lung and Blood Institute: Diseases and Conditions Index. Online available at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Copd/Copd_Treatments.html.

What are the Signs and Symptoms of COPD (2007) National Heart Lung and Blood Institute: Diseases and Conditions Index. Online available at:

What is COPD (2007) National Heart Lung and Blood Institute: Diseases and Conditions Index. Online available at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dei/Diseases/Copd/Copd_WhatIs.html

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)