CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE (COPD) |FINDYOURSELF

July 31, 2019 1 Comments

CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE (COPD)

• It is a common preventable and treatable disease, characterized by persistent airflow limitation that is usually progressive and associated with an enhanced chronic inflammatory response in the airway and the lungs
• Inflammation of the airway leading to increased bronchial secretions and airway obstruction

 TYPES

• CHRONIC BRONCHITIS

• EMPHYSEMA

CAUSES

• Smoking
• Industrial pollution
• Air pollution
• Infections: upper respiratory tract infection
• Bronchial hyper responsiveness
• Genetic – ALPHA 1-ANTYTRIPSIN deficiency

PATHOPHYSIOLOGY

• Irritants
• Abnormal inflammatory response of the lungs
• Increased no. of goblet cells
• Increased mucus production
• Narrowing of the airway
• Alveoli damage

CLINICAL FEATURES

• Chronic cough
• Productive cough ( more than 2 years )
• Dyspnea ( worse with exercise)
• Wheezing
• Chest tightness
• Weight loss
• Respiratory insufficiency

 PHYSICAL SIGNS

• Barrel shaped chest
•  Respiratory muscle weakness
• Expiration through pursed lips
• Tripod position

 DIAGNOSIS

• Chronic productive cough for three months in each two successive years
• Six minute walk distance test
• The presence of post bronchodilator FEVI/FVC<0.70 confirms the presence of persistent airflow limitation and thus COPD

MANAGEMENT

MEDICAL MANAGEMNT

• Avoid bronchial irritant
• Improve ventilation
• Bronchodilator

           Beta2 agonist

• Mucolytic agents

• Glucocorticoids  
• Alpha 1-antytripsin replacement
• O2 therapy

SURGICAL MANAGEMENT

• Bullectomy
• Lung volume reduction surgery
• Lung transplant

PHYSIOTHERAPY TREATMENT

• Pulmonary rehab
• Remove bronchial secretion
• Chest physiotherapy
• Strengthen respiratory muscles
• Promote exercises

COMPLICATIONS

• Type 1 and 2 respiratory failure
• Cor pulmonale
• Secondary infections