What are the treatments for COPD?

-Short-acting bronchodilators inhalers: Beta-agonist inhalers (Salbutamol, terbutaline), Antimuscarinic inhalers (ipratropium) -Long-acting bronchodilators inhalers: Beta-agonist inhalers(formoterol), Antimuscarinic inhalers(tiotropium) Steroid inhalers (Beclometasone, Budesonide, Ciclesonide, Fluticasone, Mometasone) -Tablets (mucolytic medicines- Carbocistein) End stage of COPD As COPD progresses, the condition becomes more severe. IN here, Palliative care or treatment is given to keep a person as comfortable as possible, to reduce the severity of the disease rather than cure it. Mostly it is about helping you with your symptoms, to make them easier to bear. Your quality of life in the end stages of COPD is very important.
What can I do to help?

Central Mindanao University College of Nursing

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Get immunized!

A yearly 'flu jab' protects against possible influenza and any chest infection that may develop due to this. Immunization against pneumococcus (a germ that can cause serious chest infections). This is a one-off injection and not yearly like the 'flu jab'.

References: Patient.co.uk.(2012).Retrieved from:http://www.patient.co.uk/health/chron ic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease. Porth,C.M.(2002).Pathophysiology,Concepts of Altered Health States.Lippincott Williams & Wilkins:Philippines.

Annie Flor S. Macabugto

What is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a general term which includes the conditions chronicbronchitis and emphysema. COPD is the preferred term, but you may still hear it called chronic obstructive airways disease (COAD). Chronic means persistent. Bronchitis is inflammation of the bronchi (the airways of the lungs). Emphysema is damage to the smaller airways and air sacs (alveoli) of the lungs. Pulmonary means 'affecting the lungs'.

cigarettes (20 cigarettes) per day, and 1 in 4 40per-day smokers, develop COPD if they continue to smoke. For all smokers, the chances of developing COPD is between 1 in 10 and 1 in 4. Air pollution and polluted work conditions may cause some cases of COPD, or make the disease worse. The combination effect of occupational exposure to air pollutants and smoking increases the chances of developing COPD. A small number of people have a genetic (hereditary) risk of COPD due to very rare protein deficiencies that can lead to lung, liver and blood disorders. (The condition is called alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency). Less than 1 in 100 cases of COPD are due to this. However, people who have never smoked rarely develop COPD. (Passive smoking remains, however, a potential cause.) Signs and Symptoms Cough Breathlessness Sputum Chest infections Chest pain and coughing up blood are the most common features of COPD

What is the progression and outlook? Symptoms of COPD typically begin in people aged over 40 who have smoked for 20 years or more. A 'smoker's cough' tends to develop at first. Once symptoms start, if you continue to smoke, there is usually a gradual decline over several years. You tend to become more and more breathless. In time your mobility and general quality of life may become poor due to increasing breathing difficulties. If the condition becomes severe then heart failure may develop. Respiratory failure is the final stage of COPD. At this point the lungs are so damaged that the levels of oxygen in the blood are low. The waste product of breathing called carbon dioxide (CO2 ) builds up in the bloodstream.
How can the course of the disease be altered?

COPD is usually caused by SMOKING!!!

What causes chronic obstructive pulmonary disease? Smoking is the cause in the vast majority of cases. There is no doubt about this. The lining of the airways becomes inflamed and damaged by smoking. About 3 in 20 people who smoke one packet of

Stop smoking. This is the single most important piece of advice. If you stop smoking in the early stages of COPD it will make a huge difference. Damage already done to your airways cannot be reversed, but stopping smoking prevents the disease from worsening. It is never too late to stop smoking, at any stage of the disease.