Introduction to Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Question 1

What are the clinical features of COPD?

Answer 1

• Morning cough in winter
• Chronic cough
• Upper respiratory infection / bronchitis
• Progressive breathlessness
• Pulmonary hypertension / heart failure

(AS LIST GOES DOWN = AS DISEASE PROGRESSES)

Question 2

What causes COPD?

Answer 2

• Caused by cigarette smoking / passive smoking
• air pollution
• Occupational exposures
• Genetics