COPD Flashcards
describe what chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) is
characterised by airflow limitation that is not fully reversible
what is the main cause of COPD
cigarette smoking (90% cases in developed countries)
what other factors influence cause of COPD
climate, air pollution, urbanisation, social class, occupation
what are the main factors of pathophysiology in COPD (5)
emphysema, V/Q mismatch, loss of elasticity, airway inflammation + scarring, mucus secretion
what is emphysema
= abnormal, permanent enlargement of air spaces distal to the terminal bronchiole
describe how respiratory infections effect COPD patients
patients cope badly with resp. infections, they are often the precipitating cause of acute exacerbations of COPD
describe the characteristic symptoms of COPD
productive cough with white/clear sputum, wheeze + breathlessness, many years of smokers cough
give 4 examples of systemic effects of COPD
hypertension, weight loss, depression, reduced muscle mass
describe some signs of mild COPD and severe COPD
mild COPD = may be no signs or quiet wheezes through chest
severe COPD = tachypnoeic and prolonged expiration
describe what may be found in examination of COPD patient
poor chest expansion(lungs hyperinflated), loss of normal cardiac + liver dullness
what are the later stages of COPD characterised by and what may occur in advanced disease
later stages characterised by respiratory failure
advanced disease pulmonary hypertension may occur
describe how the typical diagnosis of COPD is made
usually clinical and based on history of breathlessness, sputum production and chronic smoking
describe what is seen in lung function tests for COPD
FEV1/FVC ratio is reduced and PEFR is low, lung volumes may be normal or low
describe what is often seen on a CXR in COPD and when an HRCT scan is useful
CXR = usually normal, even in advanced disease
HRCT useful when CXR normal