Copd Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease - 1179 Words

COPD, or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, is one of the most common lung diseases. Thousands of people are diagnosed every year, and it recently moved up to the 3rd leading cause of death in the U.S., behind heart disease and cancer. This paper will discuss disease pathology, the most common and recently discovered diagnostic tests, as well as treatment options. It will also address end of life care. COPD is a multi-system and multi-symptom disease. This means that it attacks the respiratory system, primarily, as well as the cardiovascular system. It also produces several symptoms that can be disguised for other pathologies and diseases. It is a progressive disease, meaning that treatment generally consists of easing symptoms, not curing them. Since it ends up being a terminal disease, a large part of treatment and patient care is developed around quality of life and the final stages of the patient. Several tests have been a part of diagnosing COPD for many years, incl uding the most common, Spirometry. Spirometry is a lung function test that measures the total volume of air that the patient can expel from the lungs after maximum inspiration. Although this test is successful in helping diagnose COPD, it has been said to be overlooked more and more in primary care. Spirometry testing is essential, along with thorough examination and history taking, to avoid missed or late diagnoses. Healthcare workers responsible for conducting and interpretingShow MoreRelatedChronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ( Copd ) Essay1722 Words   |  7 PagesChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a group of gradual, incapacitating respiratory conditions, which include emphysema and chronic bronchitis. It is generally characterized by reduced breathing capacity, airflow restriction in the lungs, a persistent cough, and other various symptoms. COPD is notoriously associated with a history of cigarette smoking and has become the number one contributor to morta lity in chronic disease of the lower respiratory tract. It is also defined as a preventableRead MoreChronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ( Copd )807 Words   |  4 Pagesdiaphragm, consistent with COPD. Question: What are the treatment options available to patients with COPD, and how are individualized assessments used to determine the most effective therapy? Generate: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a respiratory illness that progressively worsens over time. As seen in Mr. Adam’s case, symptoms include dyspnea, wheezing, and an occasional productive cough,.1 Emphysema and Chronic Bronchitis are the two main conditions of COPD, and can occur simultaneouslyRead MoreChronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ( Copd )1541 Words   |  7 Pagesdistressingly difficult to breathe owing to a combination of emphysema and chronic asthmatic bronchitis – a deadly duo known as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (Brody, 2012).† The overall disease-state, role of exercise, treatments, and implications are all interrelated when improving patient COPD. Throughout this paper, all will be addressed with the goal to better the understanding of COPD. COPD is becoming prevalent disease within today’s society, ranking as the fourth leading cause of deathRead MoreChronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ( Copd )1748 Words   |  7 Pagestopic will be based on the topic of COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease). COPD patients are usually readmitted due to acute exacerbations also known as (AECOPD). (Laverty et al., 2015). In this paper, we explore the COPD discharge care bundles which have been developed by different authors. The care bundle consists of a short list of certain evidence-based practices to be utilized or implemented before discharge for all patients who have been admitted with COPD, based on reviewing national guidelinesRead MoreChronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ( Copd )981 Words   |  4 Pages1.2 Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) 1.2.1 What is COPD? COPD is a chronic inflammation of the airways leading to fixed airflow obstruction and restricted gas exchange. The term COPD includes two basic respiratory pathologies: chronic bronchitis and emphysema (GOLD, 2006) that are described below. The condition is not reversible and may progressively worsen with time (NICE, 2010). Chronic bronchitis: is the narrowing of the bronchi and bronchioles due to thickening of the airway wallsRead MoreChronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ( Copd )1839 Words   |  8 PagesSynopsis All over the world, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a very significant and prevalent cause of morbidity and mortality, and it is increasing with time (Hurd, 2000; Pauwels, 2000; Petty, 2000). Due to the factor of COPD being an underdiagnosed and undertreated disease, the epidemiology (Pauwels, Rabe, 2004) is about 60 to 85 % with mild or moderate COPD remaining undiagnosed (Miravitlles et al., 2009; Hvidsten et al., 2010). The risk factors of COPD include genetic factors asRead MoreChronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ( Copd )1166 Words   |  5 PagesChronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is moving to the forefront of public health problems. It is projected to rank third in mortality rates by 2020.6 COPD is a lung disease that is treatable and preventative.6 The patient has toxic particles or gases that cause an enhanced chronic inflammatory response in the airways and lungs as well as progressive airflow limitation.5 Other causes for COPD include emphysema, chronic bronchitis, chronic asthma, and some forms of bronchiectasis.6 OccupationRead MoreCopd : Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease2033 Words   |  9 Pages COPD is an abbreviated term for the lung disease Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and it is seen in people everyday. It is estimated that this disease affects roughly 24 million individuals in the U.S.. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease occurs in other countries instead of just the United States. It is increasing rapidly and therapies currently do not alter the disease (Gross â€Å"Abstract†). Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease can be caused by smoking, environmental factors and or geneticRead MoreChronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ( Copd ) Essay2079 Words   |  9 PagesIntroduction The topic is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). It is an umbrella term used for respiratory disorders such as chronic asthma, chronic bronchitis and emphysema. It is a serious condition that restricts airflow to the lungs and is not fully reversible. It is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Australia. More than 1 in 20 Australians over 55 have COPD and is also the fifth leading cause of death. There is also a rate of 1,008 per 100,000 of the population aged 55 andRead MoreChronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ( Copd )1098 Words   |  5 Pagesprovided; the three differential diagnosis that are being considered include; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchitis and community acquired pneumonia (CAP) (Papadakis, McPhee, Rabow, 2015). COPD Symptoms of COPD often begin in middle age and is commonly caused by years of smoking. COPD is progressive, irreversible and made up of chronic bronchitis and emphysema (Goolsby Grubbs, 2011). Symptoms include; chronic productive cough for three consecutive months each year for 2 sequential