COPD

Question 1

What is COPD ?

Answer 1

• Aka chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, is a progressive non-reversible disease. Almost always related to long-term smoking (80% of the time)
• A group of diseases that causes airflow blockage and breathing related problems

Question 2

COPD comprises what other diseases?

Answer 2

• Emphysema and chronic bronchitis

Question 3

What is emphysema?

Answer 3

• A pulmonary disease, where lung tissues are gradually damaged (specifically destruction of alveoli )

Question 4

COPD symptoms?

Answer 4

• Productive cough
• Shortness of breath
• Progressive dyspnea on exertion
• History of smoking

Question 5

COPD Physical examination ?

Answer 5

• Cyanosis
• Increased JVP
• Barrel chest
• Hyper resonance
• Prolonged expiration

Question 6

COPD diagnosis?

Answer 6

• Spirometry (pulmonary function test)
• ABGs (arterial blood gases=measures the balance of O2 and CO2 to check if the lungs are functioning properly)
• Chest Xray
• EKG ( if there is a sign of CHF)
• Echocardiogram ( heart US )
• Pneumococcal vaccine and influenza vaccine every year

Question 7

What are the differential diagnosis of COPD ?

Answer 7

• Asthma
• Cystic Fibrosis
• Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AAT)
  [ ATT is normally produced in the liver and travels through the blood to protect the lungs and liver from inflammation ]

Question 8

Treatment/ Therapy?

Answer 8

• Supplemental home oxygen
• Inhaled long acting Beta agonist (LABA), (such as formoterol and salmetorol accompanied with albuterol in the same inhaler ) + inhaled corticosteroids ( fluticason, budesonide) + inhaled anticholinergics
• Theophylline for night time symptoms ( ex : Zileuton)