CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY
Many others develop lung conditions or
DISEASE
I. OVERVIEW
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
causes permanent damage to the lungs and
narrows the airways (bronchi). This makes
breathing difficult once the disease has reached
an advanced stage. At that point, even everyday
activities such as climbing stairs, gardening, or
taking a walk can leave you out of breath.
COPD doesn’t arise overnight. Instead, it
develops gradually over the course of many
years. Symptoms like a persistent cough are
often initially mistaken for a "normal" smoker's
cough or asthma. People often first find out that
they have COPD when their symptoms get
worse. By that time, many of them are already
over 60. COPD treatments aim to stop or at least
slow down the progression of the disease. The
most important thing to do is quit smoking.
Medicine can relieve symptoms and prevent
shortness of breath. Education programs
designed for COPD patients can help them cope
with the disease.
II. SYMPTOMS
COPD symptoms often don't appear until
significant lung damage has occurred, and they
usually worsen over time, particularly if
smoking exposure continues. For chronic
bronchitis, the main symptom is a daily cough
and mucus (sputum) production at least three
months a year for two consecutive years. Other
signs and symptoms of COPD may include:
 Shortness of breath, especially during
physical activities
 Wheezing
 Chest tightness
 Clearing throat first thing in the
morning, due to excess mucus in the
lungs
 Chronic cough that may produce
(sputum) that may be clear, white,
yellow or greenish
 Blueness of the lips or fingernail beds
(cyanosis)
 Frequent respiratory infections
 Lack of energy
 Unintended weight loss (in later stages)
 Swelling in ankles, feet or legs
III. CAUSES OF THE ALTERATION
In developed countries like the United States,
the single biggest cause of COPD is cigarette
smoking. About 90 percent of people who have
COPD are smokers or former smokers. Among
long-time smokers, 20 to 30 percent develop
COPD.
have reduced lung function. Most people with
COPD are at least 40 years old and have at least
some history of smoking. The longer and more
tobacco products you smoke, the greater your
risk of COPD is. In addition to cigarette smoke,
cigar smoke, pipe smoke, and secondhand
smoke can cause COPD. Your risk of COPD is
even greater if you have asthma and smoke. You
can also develop COPD if you’re exposed to
chemicals and fumes in the workplace. Long-
term exposure to air pollution and inhaling dust
can also cause COPD.
IV. RISK FACTORS
 Exposure to tobacco smoke. The most
significant risk factor for COPD is long-term
cigarette smoking. The more years you smoke
and the more packs you smoke, the greater your
risk. Pipe smokers, cigar smokers and marijuana
smokers also may be at risk, as well as people
exposed to large amounts of secondhand smoke.
 People with asthma who smoke. The
combination of asthma, a chronic inflammatory
airway disease, and smoking increases the risk
of COPD even more.
 Occupational exposure to dusts and
chemicals. Long-term exposure to chemical
fumes, vapors and dusts in the workplace can
irritate and inflame your lungs.
 Exposure to fumes from burning fuel. In the
developing world, people exposed to fumes
from burning fuel for cooking and heating in
poorly ventilated homes are at higher risk of
developing COPD.
 Age. COPD develops slowly over years, so most
people are at least 40 years old when symptoms
begin.
 Genetics. The uncommon genetic disorder
alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency is the cause of
some cases of COPD. Other genetic factors
likely make certain smokers more susceptible to
the disease.
V. TREATMENT
Treatment. Treatment can ease symptoms,
prevent complications, and generally slow
disease progression. Your healthcare team may
include a lung specialist (pulmonologist) and
physical and respiratory therapists.
 Oxygen therapy. If your blood oxygen
level is too low, you can receive
supplemental oxygen through a mask or
nasal cannula to help you breathe better.
A portable unit can make it easier to get
around.
  Surgery. This is reserved for severe  Theophylline. This medication eases
COPD or when other treatments have chest tightness and shortness of breath.
failed, which is more likely when you It may also help prevent flare-ups. It’s
have a form of severe emphysema. One available in pill form. Theophylline is an
type of surgery is called bullectomy. older medication that relaxes the muscle
During this procedure, surgeons remove of the airways, and it may cause side
large, abnormal air spaces (bullae) from effects. It’s generally not a first-line
the lungs. treatment for COPD therapy.
 Lung volume reduction surgery. This  Antibiotics and antivirals. Antibiotics
removes damaged upper lung tissue. or antivirals may be prescribed when
 Lifestyle changes. Certain lifestyle you develop certain respiratory
changes may also help alleviate your infections.
symptoms or provide relief.  Vaccines. COPD increases your risk of
 If you smoke, quit. other respiratory problems. For that
Your doctor can reason, your doctor might recommend
recommend appropriate that you get a yearly flu shot, the
products or support pneumococcal vaccine, or the whooping
services. cough vaccine.
 Whenever possible,
avoid secondhand
smoke and chemical
fumes.
 Get the nutrition your
body needs. Work with
your doctor or dietician
to create a healthy
eating plan.
 Talk to your doctor
about how much
exercise is safe for you.
Medications. Medications can reduce symptoms
and cut down on flare-ups. It may take some
trial and error to find the medication and dosage
that works best for you. These are some of your
options:
 Inhaled bronchodilators. Medicines
called bronchodilators help loosen tight
muscles of your airways. They’re
typically taken through an inhaler or
nebulizer. Short-acting bronchodilators
last from four to six hours. You only use
them when you need them. For ongoing
symptoms, there are long-acting
versions you can use every day. They
last about 12 hours.
 Corticosteroids. Long-acting
bronchodilators are commonly
combined with inhaled
glucocorticosteroids. A
glucocorticosteroid can reduce
inflammation in the airways and lower
mucus production. The long-acting
bronchodilator can relax the airway
muscle to help the airways stay wider.
Corticosteroids are also available in pill
form.
 Phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitors. This
type of medication can be taken in pill
form to help reduce inflammation and
relax the airways. It’s generally
prescribed for severe COPD with
chronic bronchitis.