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COPD

Causes, symptoms, stages and diagnosis of disease COPD


Definition of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an independent, progressive disease that is characterized by not only an inflammatory component, but also structural changes in the vessels and lung tissue. In addition, we should mention the serious violations of bronchial obstruction. Such obstruction is localized in distal bronchi. This disease is distinguished from some common chronic processes it is important the respiratory system.

It is proved that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease most often affects men older than 40 years. It occupies the main position among all causes of disability. Moreover, the high risk of fatality, even the able-bodied part of the population.

When you increase the production of bronchial mucus and increase its viscosity are the most favorable conditions for the rapid multiplication of the bacteria. This interferes with the patency of the bronchi, changes in pulmonary tissue and alveoli. The progression of the disease directly leads to swelling of the bronchial mucosa, mucus secretion and smooth muscles spasms. Often COPD bacterial complications and relapse of pulmonary infections.

It happens that the course of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is greatly exacerbated by serious disorders of gas exchange, manifesting by reduction of oxygen in the blood, and increased blood pressure. Such conditions provoke circulatory insufficiency, leading to death in approximately 30% of patients with this diagnosis.


Causes of COPD

The main reason is the Smoking. Among other factors that cause the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, isolated respiratory infections in childhood, industrial hazards associated with bronchopulmonary pathology, as well as the depressing state of the environment. The small number of patients, the disease is a genetic predisposition that is expressed by the deficiency of protein alpha-1–antitrypsin. He is formed in the liver, protecting lungs from serious damage.

As a rule, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is considered an occupational disease of many railwaymen, miners, builders and workers who come into contact with cement. Often this disease is more common among specialists of metallurgical and pulp and paper industry. Genetic predisposition and factorsenvironmental causes inflammation of the inner lining of the bronchi chronic nature, which significantly reduces local immunity.


Symptoms and stages of COPD

There are several classifications of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. At the zero stage, the disease manifests itself as a strong secretion of mucus and constant coughing on the background of unchanged lung function. For the first stage is characterized by chronic cough, sputum production, and a minor obstructive disorders. In moderate conditions it is possible to observe different clinical symptoms that increase at a certain load. While pronounced obstructive disorders are progressing.

In the third stage of the disease when you exhale increases the restriction of air flow. You can note the frequency of exacerbations and increased shortness of breath. In critical condition manifested severe forms of bronchial obstruction, which may endanger human life. Develops heart lung and diagnosed with dangerous respiratory distress.

It should be mentioned that in the early stages of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease can occur covertly. Often typical clinic disease manifests itself in moderate conditions. The clinical course of COPD is characterized by strong cough with shortness of breath and sputum. Sometimes in the early stages observed occasional cough, accompanied by the release of large amounts of mucous sputum. This period is also concerned about shortness of breath during intensive exertion. The cough becomes permanent only to the extent of disease progression.

With the beginning of accession specific infection observed shortness of breath at rest, and the sputum becomes purulent in character. For chronic obstructive lung disease develops or emphysematous, or bronchial type. Many patients with bronchial type of the disease complain of cough, abundant sputum. You can also mention intoxication, cyanosis of the skin and threat of suppurative inflammation in bronchi, and also there is a significant expression of the obstruction with a weak pulmonary emphysema.

Patients with emphysematous type of COPD differ expiratory dyspnea, characterized by labored breath. The emphysema is greatly dominates typical bronchial obstruction. Skin patients gray-pink, and the thorax is barrel-shaped. It should be mentioned that under favorable benign course all people can live to old age.

In most cases a progressive development of the disease is complicated by acuterespiratory failure and pneumonia. Sometimes diagnosed spontaneous pneumothorax, secondary polycythemia, pnevmoskleroze and congestive heart failure. In very severe stages, some patients can develop pulmonary heart or pulmonary hypertension. In all cases the disease leads to reduced quality of life and activity.

Diagnosis of COPD

Timely diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease can increase the duration of life of patients and significantly improve the quality of their existence. When collecting anamnestic data modern professionals always pay attention to production factors and the presence of harmful habits. The main methods of functional diagnostics is the spirometry. She revealed the initial signs of the disease.

Also important is the measurement of volume and speed performance. These include vital capacity, forced capacity, as well as the volume of one of the forced exhalation per second. To diagnose enough of the ratio of the summation of the identified indicators. To assess the severity and nature of the inflammation of the bronchi use of the cytological method of investigation sputum of patients. In the acute phase sputum is always simultaneously a viscous and purulent.

Clinical blood tests help to identify policitemia, which is possible due to the development of dangerous hypoxemia only in bronchial type of the disease. Determines the number of erythrocytes, hemoglobin, hematocrit and blood viscosity. Major phenomena of respiratory failure is considered to be gas composition roof. For exclusion of other similar diseases shows the x-ray light. For COPD the characteristic deformation of the bronchial walls, as well as changes in lung tissue emphysematous character.

On ECG it is possible to identify the development of pulmonary hypertension, and diagnostic bronchoscopy is required to assess the condition of the mucous membranes of the bronchi and sampling analysis of their secret.


COPD treatment

The main goal of therapy when the disease is the inhibition of all ongoing processes, the removal of obstruction and elimination of respiratory failure. It is necessary to increase the length and quality of life of patients. Addressing the causes of disease, such as Smoking or factors of production is a necessary treatment in complex therapy. The treatment begins with teaching the patient to usethe spacers, inhalers and nebulizers, as well as an independent assessment of his condition.

Simultaneously appointed mucolytics and bronchodilatory to liquefy phlegm and expanding the bronchial lumen. Then usually prescribe inhaled corticosteroids, and acute exacerbation of antibiotic therapy is introduced. If necessary, assigned to pulmonary rehabilitation and oxygenation of the body. The slowdown in the development of COPD is possible only at the systematic comprehensive treatment that is chosen appropriately for each individual patient.

As a rule, a relatively complete recovery of patients the prognosis is favorable. With the steady progression of the disease talking about disability. It should be noted that the main prognostic criteria classifies the exception of precipitating factors, and most importantly, the patients compliance with therapeutic activities and all recommendations.


Prevention of COPD

To prevent further development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease represents the most important prevention measure. Abstinence from Smoking is the main requirement for the progression of the disease. Passive Smoking is also considered unacceptable. A comprehensive approach against disease guarantee an increase in life expectancy.

You should also pay particular attention to other respiratory infections, which may provoke the recurrence of COPD. For the prevention of exacerbations perspective is a special long-term use of mucolytics, which have antioxidant activity.

Because COPD is an incurable disease, it is necessary to keep a proper lifestyle to control the symptoms, which can significantly slow down the progression of the disease. Proper preventive measures will allow to restore the patient's quality of life.