Background

Question 1

What does COPD stand for?

Answer 1

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Question 2

What is COPD?

Answer 2

Name for a group of lung conditions that cause breathing difficulties
Mainly affects middle aged or older adults who smoke

Question 3

Name 2 conditions that come under the COPD heading

Answer 3

Emphysema - damage to the air sacs in the lungs

Chronic bronchitis - long term inflammation of the airways

Question 4

What are the symptoms of COPD?

Answer 4

Increased breathlessness
Persistent chesty cough (smokers cough)
Persistent wheezing

Question 5

What are the main causes of COPD?

Answer 5

Occurs when the lungs become inflamed, damaged or narrowed
Main cause is smoking, can affect those who have never smoked
May be because of long term exposure to harmful fumes or dust
May be genetic
Air pollution

Question 6

What are the treatment methods?

Answer 6

Stop smoking
Inhalers and medications
Pulmonary rehabilitation
Surgery or lung transplant

Question 7

How many people does COPD affect wordwide?

How many deaths?

Answer 7

2013 - 329 million (nearly 5 percent of global population)

2.9 million deaths up from 2.4 million in 1990 (more than 90% in developing world)

Question 8

What is the economic cost of COPD?

Answer 8

2010 - 2.1 trillion dollars

Question 9

What medications are used in COPD management?

Answer 9

Bronchodilators

Corticosteroids