2. COPD Flashcards
Define C.O.P.D. and state it’s characteristics.
C.O.P.D. is a preventable and treatable lung disease with significant extrapulmonary effects. It is characterized as a usually progressive, not fully reversible airflow limitation.
What is the main cause of C.O.P.D.?
Noxious particles and gases, causing the lungs to initiate an abnormal inflammatory response.
Severe COPD leads to?
- Respiratory failure
- Repeated hospitalization
- Death
State the 3 primary components of COPD.
- Chronic bronchitis
- Emphysema
- Asthma
Define Chronic Bronchitis.
A productive cough for at least 3 months, in at least 2 consecutive years, with the absence of any other identifiable cause of excessive sputum production.
Define Emphysema.
Emphysema is a condition in which alveolar wall destruction is seen, leading to irreversible enlargement of air spaces.
What is the common site for Emphysema in the lung?
Distal to the terminal bronchioles
Is there fibrosis in Emphysema?
No
State 9 external risk factors of COPD.
- Tobacco smoke
- Biomass fuel smoke
- Open fire
- Chronic uncontrolled asthma
- Occupational dust and chemicals
- Infections
- Overcrowding
- Damp environment
- Low socioeconomic status
State 4 external risk factors of COPD.
- Genetics (Lack of Alpha 1 Anti-Trypsin)
- Hyper responsiveness
- Low lung growth
- Low birth weight
- Age (Old age)
Explain the pathogenesis of COPD.
The lungs initiates an abnormal inflammatory response to the noxious agents. Overtime, it leads to Small Airway Disease (Cellular infiltration, Airway remodelling) and Parenchymal Destruction (Loss of alveolar attachments, decreased elastic recoil). This causes airway limitations in the patient.
State 6 histological characteristics seen in a COPD bronchial architecture.
- Mucous gland hypertrophy
- Smooth muscle hypertrophy
- Goblet cell hyperplasia
- Inflammatory infiltrate
- Excessive mucous
- Squamous metaplasia
Who is a ‘Blue Bloater’ ?
A patient with Chronic Bronchitis
Who is a ‘Pink Puffer’ ?
A patient with Emphysema
State the clinical features seen in a Blue Bloater.
- Mild dysapnea
- Prominent cough
- Copious, mucoid sputum
- Frequent infections
- Cor pulmonale