COPD

COPD chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

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COPD

abbr.

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

A term used to describe chronic lung diseases, like chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and asthma.

Mentioned in: Bronchitis

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COPD,

abbreviation for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

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COPD

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

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COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Pulmonology An umbrella term for a group of usually progressive lung disorders with overlapping signs and symptoms, including asthma, bronchiectasis, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema; COPD, usually associated with a long Hx of cigarette smoking, is the 5^th most common COD–65,000 deaths/yr, US, the 3^rd most common–after heart diseases and schizophrenia–cause of chronic disability of older individuals, and the most common cause of pulmonary HTN and cor pulmonale in the US; the major COPD lesions, chronic bronchitis and emphysema, commonly coexist; the former is responsible for the alveolar hypoxia, ↓ PO₂, ↑ CO₂, and ↓ pH that lead to pulmonary HTN, which is seen in 65% of ♂ at autopsy and 15% of ♀, and is due to the unopposed effect of elastases in the lungs Clinical SOB, wheezing, chronic cough Diagnosis Clinical Hx, PE, pulmonary function tests Complications Bronchitis, pneumonia, lung cancer; Pts with COPD have been divided into type A with emphysema, fancifully known as 'pink puffers' and type B with chronic bronchitis–'blue bloaters'; respiratory function and dyspnea in severe COPD may improve with theophylline, which improves respiratory-muscle function Management Bronchodilators, O₂ for advanced disease Prevention Smoking cessation, ↑ dietary n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids may protect against COPD, possibly by interfering with the production of inflammatory mediators, including leukotrienes, platelet-activating factor, IL-1 and TNF. See Emphysema.

Management of COPD

Minimize airflow restriction

Reduce production of secretions

 ↑ Eliminate secretion

 Bronchodilatation

Sympathomimetic agents, eg inhaled β₂-adrenoreceptor agonists

 Anticholinergic agents, eg ipratropium, nebulized atropine

 Theophylline

Corticosteroids–maximum benefit in 1^st 2 wks of therapy (NEJM 1999; 340:1941oa)

Correct 2º physiologic alterations  

 Hypoxemia–O₂ administration

 Pulmonary hypertension and cor pulmonale

 Hypercapnia

Optimize functional capacity

 Exercise conditioning

 Upper extremity training

 Respiratory muscle training

 Respiratory muscle rest

 Dyspnea

 Nutrition

 Physical and occupational therapy

 Psychosocial rehabilitation

Other issues of management

 α₁-antitrypsin augmentation

 Bullectomy

 Lung transplantation

 Antibiotics with exacerbations

 Smoking cessation

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Patient discussion about COPD.

Q. Yoga for COPD? I was diagnosed with COPD two years ago, and so far I manage to keep on with my life, although I stopped my regular exercise. A friend of mine that also has COPD told me about yoga exercises for COPD patients- Does anyone here knows something about it?

A. Yoga can teach you how to breath properly, and is also a very good exercise. It's also very relaxing which is also good for you lung, and you can enjoy it. Just give it a try, but ask your physician first.

Q. (COPD)chronic obstructive pulmonary disease the main causes of?

A. Mainly smoking, although ambient air pollution and industrial exposure to dust have also been implicated as causes.

You may read more here:

www.mayoclinic.com/health/copd/DS00916

Q. wwWhat is an alternative to Symbicort inhaler? I already have albuterol inhaler and spiriva.Also use a nebulizer.

A. as far as i know, from my brother who has severe asthma, when all those medications doesn't work they prescribe steroids. could be systemic or with an inhaler, an inhaler is better cause systemic steroids have unpleasant side effects.
you can always go to clinical trials of new medications:
http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/condition=%22Asthma%22