COPD Flashcards
what does COPD stand for?
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
what is COPD?
- a group of lung conditions that cause airflow blockage and breathing-related problems
- including bronchitis and emphysema
what is meant by Bronchiectasis?
airway becomes widened leading to build up of excess mucous, more susceptible to chronic infection
what is bronchiectasis characterised by?
by a productive cough (w/ phlegm) throughout certain months
what does green sputum indicate?
presence of infection
what occurs when mucus levels increase in the lungs?
reduced airway diameter
what is emphysema?
destruction of alveoli
what occurs during emphysema?
destruction of alveoli causes dilation of some other alveoli to ‘fill space’
what are common COPD symptoms?
- chronic cough
- production of mucous
- fatigue
- shortness of breath (dyspnea)
- chest discomfort
what are some causes of COPD?
- smoking
- pollution
- AAT gene deficiency
- chronic bronchitis
- asthma
- age
what are some complications of COPD?
- heart failure
- frailty
- depression
- pneumonia
- acute respiratory distress syndrome
what are some ways of managing COPD?
- smoking cessation
- long acting bronchodilator
- inhaled steroids
- oxygen support (if there is a failure of respiratory system)
what can COPD progress to?
respiratory failure
what are the types of respiratory failure?
- type one
- type two
what is type one respiratory failure?
hypoxia caused by damage of the lung tissue
