3. COPD

Question 1

COPD

Answer 1

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that causes obstructed airflow from the lungs.

COPD affects expiration, not inspiration

COPD develops over many years and progressively makes breathing more difficult.

COPD causes Chronic Bronchitis which is a long-term inflammation of the airways & also Emphysema which is damage to the alveoli.

Question 2

common symptoms

Answer 2

Increasing breathlessness – May only happen when exercising at first, as the disease progreses, patients may sometimes wake up at night feeling breathless
Persistent chesty cough with phlegm that does not go away
Frequent chest infections
Persistent wheezing
These symptoms gradually become worse over time

Question 3

effects of COPD

Answer 3

Chronic bronchitis is inflammation of the lining of the bronchial tubes, which carry air to and from the alveoli of the lungs. It also causes the lungs to produce more mucus.
This inflammation and increased volume of mucus which decreases the ventilation to the alveoli as less air can get through.
Emphysema causes destruction of the fragile walls and elastic fibres of the alveoli. Leading to a decrease in the elasticity of the alveoli.

Over time the inner airways of the alveoli weaken and rupture. Leading to the formation of large air pockets known as bullae. Which reduces the surface area of the lungs.

Furthermore normal lung tissue next to these bullae will be unable to expand properly, reducing lung function.

Question 4

treatments for COPD - inhalers

Answer 4

Short acting bronchodilator inhalers – usually first treatment used, relaxes and widens airways, further split into:beta-2 agonist inhalers (salbutamol) and antimuscarinic inhalers
used when breathless – up to 4 times a day
Long acting bronchodilator inhalers – used when patients experience symptoms regularly throughout the day , dose lasts 12 hours e.g. salmeterol
Steroid inhalers – used if long acting inhalers are not completely effective or a patient experiences frequent exacerbations. Contain corticosteroid medicines, which can help to reduce the inflammation in your airways

Question 5

treatments for COPD - tablets

Answer 5

Theophylline tablets - reduce swelling (inflammation) in the airways and relax the muscles lining them
Mucolytics - make the phlegm in your throat thinner and easier to cough up
Steroid tablets – usually prescribed after a particularly bad exacerbation, can cause side affects such as weight gain
Antibiotics – prescribed if sign of chest infection

Question 6

nebulisers

Answer 6

machine is used to turn liquid medicine into a fine mist that you breathe in through a mouthpiece or a face mask. It enables a large dose of medicine to be taken in one go - used in severe cases

Question 7

What is meant by the term prophylaxis?

Answer 7

Prophylaxis is a treatment or action taken to prevent a disease developing