UL//HEALTH
Defining
COPD’s Impact
COPD; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. COPD is a progressive disease that makes it hard to breath and gets worse over time. The symptoms of COPD are coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, chest discomfort and mucus production. (National Heart Lung & Blood) The leading cause for COPD is cigarette smoking. Other related causes of COPD are long term exposure to other lung irritants such as pollution, chemical exposures, and dust. In the USA, the term COPD includes two main conditions, emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Emphysema is damaged lung tissue between the alveoli, (small air sacs in the lungs that transfer oxygen to the blood and carbon dioxide out of the lungs).This damage to the tissue can destroy the air sacs leaving voids or large pockets in the lungs where the small air sacs should be, decreasing the ability of the lung tissue to transfer oxygen into the blood and carbon dioxide out of the lungs. Chronic bronchitis is an irritation that causes the airways to be constantly inflamed. This inflammation causes a mucus production in the airways making it hard to breath and decreasing the lumen size of the airway slowing down airflow into and out of the lungs. Frequently, people who have COPD have both of these conditions at the same time making the term COPD more accurate. There is no cure for COPD yet, however life style changes and treatments can improve your quality of life and slow the progress of the disease. COPD is a leading cause of disability and death worldwide. COPD is considered preventable and treatable, but is still substantially under diagnosed and under treated. Patients undiagnosed in early stages of COPD will progress to a more severe form of COPD which will decrease quality of life and increase health care costs. It is necessary to identify early stage patients which will require heightened COPD awareness among both patients and physicians. (International Journal of COPD) The internationally recognized GOLD GUIDELINES were developed to increase awareness of COPD and provide up-to-date information on management approaches. Using effective and evidence based options, including smoking cessation, exercise, education, vaccination, pulmonary rehabilitation and management of co morbidities should be considered and tailored to each individual. (International Journal of COPD) With proper disease management, COPD patients can live longer and happier lives. For the next 19 years, approximately 10,000 people will turn 65 every day, the baby boomers. (www.pewresearch.com) Many of these retiree’s will be diagnosed with COPD and this will weigh heavy on the financial resources available for healthcare. By acting now, those resources will be better used if diagnosis and treatment begin on COPD patients before they reach a severe stage. See your healthcare provider for resources available for COPD.
For more information, visit SaltzerMed.com
Written by
C. Rizzo, RRT/RPFT/AE-c
Visit us online SaltzerMed.com (208) 463-3000
‘Expect More from Medicine’ Holiday Issue 2013
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