COPD

=COPD=

What it is
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is persistent obstruction of the airways occurring with emphysema, chronic bronchitis, or both disorders.

Causes
- smoking (including passive) - genetics - decreased amount of protein alpha1-antitrypsin (prevents neutrophil elastase from damaging the alveoli) - working environment (chemical fumes and dust) - exposure to air pollution Flare-ups: severe air pollution, common allergens, viral or bacterial infections

Symptoms
- mild cough that produces clear sputum (usually occurs first thing in the morning) - shortness of breath - increased pneumonia + other lung infections - severe weight loss (shortness of breath makes eating difficult) - coughing up blood (due to inflamed bronchi) - development of unusual breathing patterns (breathing out through pursed lips; standing over a table with arms outstretched) - development of barrel chest due to trapped air in lungs - cyanosis due to low oxygen Flare-ups: cough, increased sputum, shortness of breath, sputum colour changes to yellow or green, fever and body aches

How to Treat
- stopping smoking (lessens cough, reduces the amount of sputum, slows development of shortness of breath) - prevent exposure to airborne irritants - influenza vaccination every year and pneumococcal every 5-6 years - inhaled bronchodilators (can utilise spacer and nebuliser): anticholinergic and beta-adrenergic agonists - inhaled corticosteroids for moderate-severe COPD (can worsen osteoporosis)

Additional Resources
[|Merck] [|COPD (handout).pdf] [|NPS - COPD]: a list of resources concerning COPD [|COPD-X.org.au]: features a list of handy resources, including checklists and action plans Self-Care Cards: [|Smoking]and [|Staying a non-smoker]