Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: causes, symptoms, and pathophysiology

COPD

CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE (COPD)

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States and worldwide. This is not a contagious disease however, there is no know cure for COPD. COPD is a disease of the lungs caused by damage to the airways primarily due to cigarette smoking although prolonged exposure to dust, chemicals and pollution also cause COPD.

COPD: SYMPTOMS

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a disease, which has specific symptoms including:

A cough;

Sputum or mucus production;

Shortness of breath with exercise;

Wheezing, or a whistling sound when breathing; and 5) Tightness in the chest. (National Heart Lung and Blood Institute: Diseases and Conditions Index, 2007)

It is noted by the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute: Diseases and Conditions Index (2007) that the individual with COPD generally has a cough that does not go away and that the individual coughs up a great deal of mucus, with both of these symptoms occurring often "...years before the flow of air in and out of the lungs is reduced." (National Heart Lung and Blood Institute: Diseases and Conditions Index, 2007) it is noted however, that "not everyone with a cough and sputum production goes on the develop COPD" and as well "not everyone with COPD has a cough." (National Heart Lung and Blood Institute: Diseases and Conditions Index, 2007) the symptoms severity is dependent upon the quantity of the lung that has experienced destruction and that if the individual stop smoking that less of the lung will be destroyed. COPD is a disease of the lungs in which damage has been caused to the lungs making breathing difficult due to obstruction of the tubes that transport air to and from the lungs causing difficulty in air passing through these tubes. The most common cause of COPD is stated to be "cigarette smoking" as well as inhaling other types of irritants such as dust, chemicals or pollution over a prolonged period. The airways that transport air to and from the lungs "branch out like an upside-down tree, and at the end of each branch as many small, balloon-like air sacs called alveoli." (National Heart Lung and Blood Institute: Diseases and Conditions Index, 2007) Individuals who are healthy have airways that are "clear and open." These air sacs are "small and dainity, and both the airways and air sacs are elastic and springy." (National Heart Lung and Blood Institute: Diseases and Conditions Index, 2007) When air is breathed in each of the air sacs inflate with air similar to a balloon, when air is breathed out the air sac deflates, and the air is expelled out. COPD is characterized by these "airways and air sacs" experiencing a loss to their shape resulting in less air traveling in and less air being expelled out. This is because:

1) the airways and air sacs lose their elasticity;

2) the walls between many of the air sacs are destroyed;

3) the walls of the airways become thick and inflamed; and 4) Cells in the airways make more mucus than usual which tends to log the airway." (Ibid)

The development of COPD is a slow process and is generally diagnosed in individuals who are "middle-aged or older people." (National Heart Lung and Blood Institute: Diseases and Conditions Index, 2007) COPD is stated to be a "major cause of death and illness" (National Heart Lung and Blood Institute: Diseases and Conditions Index, 2007) COPD has no cure with no reversal to the airways and lung possible however; there are actions the individual can take in order to feel more healthy and also in order to slow the progression of damage.

II. TREATMENT of COPD

The work entitled: "Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease" published in the Journal of American Medical Association states the COPD is the term that is used to describe 'related lung diseases: chronic bronchitis and emphysema. 'Chronic Bronchitis' is inflammation and eventual scarring of the bronchi (airway tubes). Emphysema is enlargement and destruction of the naively (air sacs) within the lungs." (Journal of American Medical Association, 2007) There are treatments for COPD and the first of which is: (1) Stop smoking: this is critically important for prevention of progression of COPD; (2) Bronchodilators: This is a medication taken by means of an inhaler that assists in opening the air passageways in the lung; (3) Corticosteroids: This is also medication taken by means of an inhaler to combat inflammation that occurs in the air pages and lungs; (4) Oxygen: helps with COPD in patients that have difficulty in taking in sufficient oxygen; and (5) Antibiotics: are helpful in fighting occurrence of infections of a bacterial nature that worsen the symptoms of COPD. (Journal of American Medical Association, 2007)

III. GOALS of TREATMENT in COPD

As stated in the previous section there are treatments for COPD and according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute "quitting smoking is the single most important thing" that the individual can do in order to reduce the risk of the development of 'chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and to slow the progression of the disease COPD. The goals of treatment for COPD are: (1) to relieve the symptoms with no to little side experience of side effects; (2) to slow the disease progression; (3) to improve the individual's tolerance for exercise; (4) prevention and treatment of complications or onset of problems occurring suddenly; and (5) to improve the individuals' health overall. (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute: Disease and Conditions Index, 2007) it is important to note that the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute relates that treatment of COPD is "different for each person" and that the individuals doctor might well refer the individual to a lung specialists or 'pulmonologist'. (2007) Treatment is based upon the severity of the symptoms experienced by the individual, which may be: (1) mild; (2) moderate; or (3) severe in nature.

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 work has related the causes, treatment, management and prevention of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD. 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.