COPD Flashcards
What is COPD?
Chronic progressive disease characterized by airflow obstruction
Includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis, usually a mix of both.
What is emphysema?
Destruction of lung tissue and enlargement of air spaces
What is chronic bronchitis?
An inflammatory disease causing obstruction of small airways
What percentage of Canadians older than 35 have COPD?
9.7%
What is the fourth most common cause of death?
COPD
What does FEV stand for?
Forced expiratory volume
What indicates the presence of COPD in terms of FEV?
If FEV is less than 75%
What are the primary risk factors for COPD?
Smoking, genetic predisposition, inhalation of irritants, frequent childhood respiratory infections, advanced age, socioeconomic factors
Smoking accounts for 80-90% of COPD cases.
What is alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency?
A genetic predisposition that can lead to COPD
alpha 1 antitrypsin coats the lungs and protects them from neutrophil elastase
What are common irritants that can lead to COPD?
Dusts, chemicals, pollution, second-hand smoke
What is a common symptom of chronic bronchitis?
Productive cough
What is barrel chest associated with?
Emphysema
What happens to elastic fibers in emphysema?
There is less elastin, leading to less recoil and trapped air
What is radial traction?
Elastic fibers of the alveoli pull on the walls of small airways to hold them open
What are the two types of emphysema?
Centrilobular and Panacinar
What are symptoms of emphysema?
Tripod position, barrel chest, pursed lips, pink skin, lean appearance, tachypnea
Pink skin indicates no hypoxemia associated with emphysema.
What characterizes chronic bronchitis?
Airflow limitation due to inflammation and mucus hypersecretion
What is the criteria for diagnosing chronic bronchitis?
Productive cough over three consecutive months for two consecutive years
What are symptoms of chronic bronchitis?
Normal chest shape, productive cough, polycythemia, fluid retention, overweight, cyanosis, gasping for air, high fowler’s position, cor pulmonale, hemoptysis
What is cor pulmonale?
Right sided heart failure due to lung disease
How does wheezing occur with intrathoracic airway obstruction?
Pressure increases when diaphragm is raised, narrowing airways on exhalation, causing whistling sound
How does the loss of elastin fibers affect ventilation in emphysema?
Decreases surface area for gas exchange, air gets trapped, FEV decreases
