Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Causes
The major cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is smoking, even if only approximately fifteen percent of smokers get the disease. There is also a possibility of heredity cause.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Definition
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is the continual obstruction of the brochial airflow, which is usually occurring with chronic bronchitis, emphysema, or both. It leads to persistent decrease in airflow rate from one's lungs when they exhale. The disease is second to heart disease, and often affects men than women.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Diagnosis
The disease is diagnosed through history of long-term productive cough. A physical examination and tests, as well as chest X-ray also help diagnose the illness.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Symptoms and Signs
Early signs of the illness include occasional coughing, daily cough in the mornings, slight breath shortness, and severe cough due to respiratory infection. Some people experience extreme weight loss due to breath shortness that makes eating hard. Fragile parts of the lungs can rupture allowing air leak from lung to pleural space, known as pneumothorax.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Treatment
A very important treatment is to discontinue smoking. This will help lessen cough, reduce sputum amount, and slows down the development of breath shortness. Avoiding exposure to airborne irritants is also advised, such as air pollution and second-hand smoke.
Drugs used for treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Advair
Combivent
Serevent
Spiriva
Sterapred
Ventolin
Xopenex