COPD

CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE

Juliana Tambellini
University of Pittsburgh
 COPD

• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

• A progressive disease that affects the lungs,

making it difficult to breathe
 COPD: AN UMBRELLA TERM

• Umbrella term used to describe progressive lung

diseases which include:

• Emphysema
• Chronic bronchitis
• Refractory (irreversible) asthma
• Severe bronchiectasis
 OTHER NAMES FOR COPD

• Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (COLD)

• Chronic Lower Respiratory Disease (CLRD)

 COPD

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a lung

ailment that is characterized by a persistent blockage of
airflow from the lungs.

• It is an under-diagnosed, life-threatening lung disease that

interferes with normal breathing and is not fully reversible.
 UNDERSTANDING COPD

• Critical to first understand normal lung function

Image courtesy of The National Institute of health

LUNG STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION

“Biological Science Freeman”, 2010

LUNGS WITH COPD

Image courtesy of The National Institute of health

 CAUSES

• Most cases of COPD occur as a result of long-term exposure to

lung irritants that damage the lungs and the airways

•  The most common irritant that causes COPD is cigarette smoke

• In rare cases, a genetic condition called alpha-1 antitrypsin

deficiency may play a role in causing COPD
 WHO IS AT RISK?

• People who smoke or are exposed to smoke

• People who have a family history of COPD are more likely to

develop the disease if they smoke

• Long-term exposure to other lung irritants also is a risk factor for

COPD

• Almost 90% of COPD deaths occur in low- and middle-income

countries, where effective strategies for prevention and control are
not always implemented or accessible.
 SYMPTOMS

• breathlessness
• abnormal sputum (a mix of saliva and mucus in the airway)
• a chronic cough
• daily activities can become very difficult as the condition
gradually worsens
 DIAGNOSIS

• A simple diagnostic test called "spirometry“ measures how

much air a person can inhale and exhale, and how fast air can
move into and out of the lungs

• Spirometry can detect

COPD long before its
Symptoms appear. 
 TREATMENT

• COPD has no cure

• Quitting smoking is the most important step an individual can

take to treat COPD

• Other treatments for COPD may include medicines, vaccines,

pulmonary rehabilitation (rehab), oxygen therapy, and surgery
 MANAGING COPD

• COPD symptoms usually slowly worsen over time

• A cold, the flu, or a lung infection may cause symptoms to

intensify

• Prescription antibiotics may treat infections and other

medicines, such as bronchodilators and inhaled steroids, can
help facilitate breathing
 MANAGING COPD

• Avoid lung irritants

• Get ongoing care

• Manage the disease and its symptoms

• Prepare for emergencies

 COPD: STATISTICS

• The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)

estimates that 12 million adults have COPD, and another 12
million are undiagnosed or developing COPD

• Estimated that over 210 million people worldwide have COPD

 COPD: STATISTICS

• COPD cost the U.S. economy about $32.1 billion, in direct

and indirect costs in 2002

• A person with COPD dies every four minutes in the U.S

• COPD will be the third leading cause of death in the U.S. by

2020
 WHO RESPONSE

• Raise awareness about the global epidemic of chronic diseases

• Create more healthy environments, especially for poor and
disadvantaged populations
• Decrease common chronic disease risk factors, such as tobacco
use, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity
• Prevent premature deaths and avoidable disabilities from major
chronic diseases
 SOURCES

• The World Health Organization

http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs315/en/
• The COPD Foundation
http://www.copdfoundation.org/
• The US Department of Health and Human Services
http
://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Copd/Copd_WhatIs.html
• National Heart Lung and Blood Institute
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/lung/other/copd_breathe.htm
• Center for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov/