COPD Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is actually a family of diseases affecting the respiratory system including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Primary risk factors include smoking and environmental pollutants. Therefore, most cases of COPD are preventable. According to the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (2011), COPD is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide, and according to the American Lung Association (2015), is the third leading cause of death domestically. The disease is not only preventable, but also curable, particularly when it is detected early.

However, there is no actual cure for COPD. Once COPD has developed, it is irreversible, although symptoms can be managed. Pathophysiology centers on the inflammation or destruction of the airways and the destruction of lung tissues. With emphysema, the walls of air sacs become damaged and lose their shape, affecting the rate and quantity of air exchange in the lungs. Moreover, emphysema destroys air sacs and therefore directly reduces gas exchange capacity in lungs. With chronic bronchitis, the lining of the airways becomes inflamed and irritated, leading to a thickening of airway lining and the creation of mucus as a response (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, n.d.). The mucus in turn blocks airflow and impacts the ability to breathe or achieve necessary oxygen/carbon dioxide exchanges. With COPD, many patients develop both emphysema and chronic bronchitis, making the COPD designation more relevant. Symptoms of both emphysema and chronic bronchitis will be similar, including chronic cough, shortness of breath (dyspnea), frequent respiratory infections, fatigue, weakness, and increased mucus production (American Lung Association, 2015). As the American Lung Association (2015) points out, shortness of breath is not normal and should never be attributed...

Shortness of breath almost always signals an underlying issue such as COPD or another respiratory infection. Other signs and symptoms of COPD include a chronic cough.
Unfortunately, many people are unaware they have COPD and fail to seek treatment in a timely manner. Women are more likely than men to die of the disease, in spite of the fact that men and women suffer from COPD at equal rates (American Lung Association, 2015; HealthyPeople2020, 2015). The number of deaths from COPD has been increasing, making treatment outreach and education critical (ALA 2015). One of the primary objectives of HealthyPeople2020 (2015) is to "promote respiratory health through better prevention, detection, treatment, and education efforts." Thankfully, risk factors for COPD are easy to detect, understand, and communicate. Smoking is the number one risk factor, but working in environments with high levels of pollution, exposure to toxins, and other environmental issues may also be risk factors for developing the disease. Therefore, people who smoke or who are exposed regularly to airborne pollutants should receive regular checkups. Checkups for COPD will include FEV tests like spirometry, tests that measure lung health by having the patient blow into a tube. Spirometry is the most "widely available, reproducible test of lung function," (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease, 2011). However, some persons with chronic bronchitis will test normal in spirometry, which is why spirometry alone cannot be used as an indicator of disease status (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease, 2011).

Other diagnostic and laboratory tools used for detecting and measuring the progress of COPD include chest X-rays and HRTC scans. Both chest X-rays and HRCT scans are especially helpful when…