COPD Flashcards

1
Q

What is COPD?

A

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is the name given to a group of lung diseases that cause difficulty breathing.

COPD is a long-term, progressive lung condition. COPD is incurable, cannot be reversed and affects life expectancy.

Treatment can keep the condition under control though.

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2
Q

What causes COPD?

A

• Smoking is the main cause of COPD and is responsible for about 90% of cases. Passive smoking may also increase the risk.
• Exposure to types of dust and chemicals can increase the risk: cadmium dust, grain and flour dust, silica dust, welding fumes, isocyanates and coal dust.
• It is additionally caused by genetic factors.
• Air pollution

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2
Q

What conditions does COPD include?

A

• Emphysema which involves damage to the alveoli.
• Chronic bronchitis which involves long term inflammation of the airways.

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3
Q

How does smoking/vaping cause COPD?

A

Smoking singes the cilia in the trachea, leaving the ciliated epithelial cells smoother. This makes it harder for the cilia to waft mucus up and out of the respiratory passages, leading to respiratory infections and coughs. It also causes inflammation and damage to the air sacs and airways, reducing the elasticity of the alveoli. This reduces the area for gas exchange, making it hard to breath, as the amount of oxygen that can enter the bloodstream and leave decreases

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4
Q

Why is an early diagnosis of COPD important?

A

An early diagnosis is important as it allows for prompt treatment, giving the individual a chance to manage their condition, preventing it from worsening.

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5
Q

What are the symptoms of COPD?

A

• Shortness of breath (in early stages) this may only happen when exercising, but will gradually get worse. May also wake up at night feeling breathless.
• Persistant chesty cough that produces large amounts of phlegm.
• Frequent chest infections.
• Persistant wheezing.

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6
Q

How do you treat COPD?

A

COPD is incurable but you can manage the symptoms by quitting smoking, using inhalers, taking tablets, participating in pulmonary rehabilitation, getting a lung transplant, doing oxygen therapy and going on ventilation.

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7
Q

What is an inhaler?

A

A medical device used to deliver medicine into the lungs while a person breaths.

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8
Q

What is a short acting bronchodilator inhaler?

A

A short acting bronchodilator inhaler is most commonly used for COPD. This makes breathing easier by relaxing and widening your airways.

It should be used when you feel breathless up to 4 times a day.

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8
Q

What is a long acting bronchodilator inhaler?

A

A long-acting bronchodilator inhaler is used if you have regular flare ups despite taking your short acting inhaler. Each dose lasts 12 hours meaning you should only use them once or twice a day.

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9
Q

What is a steroid inhaler?

A

A steroid inhaler is used if you still become breathless when using a long-acting inhaler, Steroid inhalers contain corticosteroid medicines which can help reduce inflammation in your airways.

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10
Q

When are tablets used for COPD?

A

If your symptoms are not controlled by an inhaler, your doctor may prescribe you tablets

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11
Q

What are theophylline tablets and how do they treat COPD??

A

Theophylline tablets are a bronchodilator that reduce inflammation in the airways and relax the lining muscles. Regular blood tests will be conducted to find the correct dosage and side effects include sickness, headaches, insomnia, and heart palpitations.

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12
Q

What are mucolytic tablets and how do they treat COPD??

A

Mucolytics thin the phlegm in your throat, making it easier to cough up. A form of this is carbocisteine which are taken 3-4 times a day.

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13
Q

What are steroid tablets and how do they treat COPD?

A

Steroid tablets can be used in a bad flare up to reduce airway inflammation. This is usually a 5-day course treatment, as long-term use of steroids can cause weight gain, mood swings and weakened bones. You may also be prescribed steroid tablets if you have a chest infection.

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14
Q

What are the signs of a chest infection?

A

The signs of a chest infection include breathlessness, more coughing and a change in colour or consistency of your phlegm.

15
Q

What is pulmonary rehabilitation?

A

This is a programme is designed to help people with lung problems, by increasing the amount of exercise they can do. This is done in groups. The programme includes physical exercise, education, dietary advice, and emotional support.

This is usually one or more group sessions per week, for 6 weeks.

This is delivered by professionals like physiotherapist, dieticians and nurse specialists.

16
Q

What is long term oxygen therapy?

A

Long-term oxygen therapy is used if COPD causes you to have a low amount of oxygen in your blood. This is oxygen delivered through nasal tubes or a mask, stopping your oxygen levels from becoming worryingly low. This is used for at least 15 hours a day.

17
Q

What is ambulatory oxygen therapy?

A

Ambulatory oxygen therapy is oxygen used when you are walking or being active. This is because your oxygen levels may fall when you exercise.

18
Q

What is non-invasive ventilation?

A

Non-invasive ventilation is given when you have had a bad flare up and end up in hospital to make breathing easier.

19
Q

What is a bullectomy?

A

A bullectomy is when a pocket of air is removed from one of the lungs, so they can work better making breathing easier.

20
Q

What is a lung volume reduction surgery?

A

A lung volume reduction surgery is when you remove a damaged section of the lung so the healthier parts to work better making breathing easier.

21
Q

What is a lung transplant?

A

A lung transplant is where you remove and replace a damaged lung with a healthy donor lung.

22
Q

Who does COPD mostly affect?

A

Middle aged or older smokers.

23
Q

How do the causes of COPD damage the lungs?

A

These all damage the epithelia of the lungs, causing inflammation.

In the alveoli this attracts phagocytes. These cells release enzymes that break down the elastic proteins in the alveoli walls.

This loss of elasticity reduces the recoil which helps to force air out of the lungs.

Eventually the walls of the alveoli break down reducing the surface area for gas exchange.

This is known as emphysema.

The same factors that cause emphysema can also cause inflammation of the bronchioles. This leads to chronic bronchitis over time.

24
Q

What is chronic bronchitis?

A

The bronchioles become narrowed and produce excessive amounts of mucus, and these both lead to obstruction of the airways.

25
Q

What is a flare up?

A

A period of time where symptoms get suddenly worse.

26
Q

What happens if COPD is left untreated?

A

It can be extremely debilitating, restricting daily life and normal activities.

This has an affect on the sufferers mental health and physical health.

27
Q

How do bronchodilator inhalers work?

A

They cause the muscles in the walls of the bronchi and bronchioles to relax, widening the airways.

28
Q

What lifestyle changes can help treat COPD?

A

Stopping smoking prevents the disease from progressing.

29
Q

How do steroid tablets treat COPD?

A

If a steroid inhaler is not effective, steroid tablets are prescribed.

However, due to the side effects these are only prescribed for a short course.

30
Q

When is surgery required for COPD?

A

When medicines aren’t effective.