COPD Flashcards
What is COPD?
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an umbrella term that refers to a group of lung diseases characterised by obstruction that interferes with normal breathing. A normal lung can be thought of like a balloon, with tenson & pressure to allow for air exchange. COPD can cause lungs to lose their elasticity, resembling a deflated balloon. Walls of the lungs can become inflamed or damaged or have a build-up of mucous leading to a blockage. This damage can decrease airflow.
What are 2 types of COPD?
Emphysema
Bronchitis
What is emphysema?
the walls between air sacs are damaged which causes the air sacs to lose their shape and damage the walls – this leads to fewer and larger air sacs instead of many tiny ones which a normal lung has. This leads to the quality of gas exchange in the lungs to be reduced.
What is bronchitis?
the lining of the airways becomes irritated and inflamed, causing the lining to thicken. Build-up of mucus leads to difficulty breathing.
How is COPD diagnosed?
history of exposure to toxins
lifestyle choices
series of pulmonary test to determine lung function
spirometry test
What is the prognosis of COPD?
COPD is a progressive and irreversible condition. As the disease progresses there is an increased difficulty breathing, and decreased oxygen levels throughout the body. The heat can become enlarged due to the strain from decreased oxygen levels and changes in blood pressure may be present. The progression of the disease can be slowed and quality of life managed with lifestyle changes, for example stopping smoking, and avoiding irritants, with the help of medications.
Signs and symptoms of COPD?
persistent chronic cough
an increased mucus production
wheezing
chest tightness
frequent respiratory infections
fatigue.
Severe/advanced COPD can cause edema in the lower extremities, weight loss or decreased muscle endurance. Cyanosis (a blush colour often to the lips and/or fingertips) can be seen due to lower oxygen levels. The severity of the symptoms is dependent on the severity of lung damage.
Aetiology/cause of COPD
Smoking, and/or long-term exposure to other lung irritants such as chemical fumes, pollution, or dust.
Risk factors of COPD
- Exposure to air pollution
- Breathing secondhand smoke
- Working with chemicals, dust and fumes
- A genetic condition called Alpha-1 deficiency
- A history of childhood respiratory infection
- Smoking
- Environment
- Asthma
- Genetics
Medical management of COPD
o Medications - Bronchodilators: (usually in inhalers) relax muscles around airways.
o Albuterol (ProAir HFA, Ventolin HFA, others)
o Ipratropium (Atrovent HFA)
o Levalbuterol (Xopenex)
o Aclidinium (Tudorza Pressair)
- Lung therapy – oxygen therapy, pulmonary rehab program
What is oxygen therapy?
o some use oxygen devices only during activities and while sleeping, others use it all the time.
Oxygen therapy is the only COPD therapy proved to extend life
What is pulmonary rehab program for COPD?
o Pulmonary rehabilitation program: Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (or Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation) is a 6–8 week evidence-based exercise and education program that teaches people with a lung disease the skills they need to manage their breathlessness and stay well and out of hospital.
It involves education, nutritional counselling, stress management, smoking cessation and other lifestyle changes designed to prevent or reverse the progression of cardiac and pulmonary diseases.
Complications of COPD
- chest infections – a common cold can easily lead to a severe infection
- pneumonia – a lung infection that targets the alveoli and bronchioles
- collapsed lung – the lung may develop an air pocket. If the air pocket bursts during a coughing fit, the lung will deflate
- heart problems – the heart has to work extremely hard to pump blood through the damaged lungs
- osteoporosis – where bones become thin and break more easily. Steroid use in people with COPD is thought to contribute to osteoporosis
- anxiety and depression – breathlessness or the fear of breathlessness can often lead to feelings of anxiety and depression
- oedema (fluid retention) – problems with blood circulation can cause fluid to pool, particularly in the feet and ankles
- hypoxaemia – caused by lack of oxygen to the brain. Symptoms include cognitive difficulties such as confusion, memory lapses and depression
risks of sedentary lifestyle – as symptoms of COPD progress, many people adjust their lifestyle to avoid symptoms. For example, they reduce their physical activity to avoid
Contraindications of COPD
exercise without consultation with health professionals- a person with COPD needs to learn proper breathing techniques. Exercise should be avoided if unwell, immediately after a big meal, in extreme heat or cold.
Impact on the person and OP - COPD
Should be aware of the impact on exercise tolerance (and thus all occupations)
· Eating – nutrition and swallowing
· Toileting – possible continence issues
· stress and anxiety impact on ADL’s and IADLs, socialisation
* ADL’s - increased self-care needs to manage oxygen/ medications.
