COPD

LAP Program

What is COPD and what can cause it?

A collection of chronic lung diseases including
emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and chronic
obstructive asthma.
It is a chronic problem with a limitation of airflow that
typically progress and involves chronic inflammation
in the airways and lungs.
Lungs produce more mucous, airways reduce in
number and narrow, and alveoli decrease in elasticity
leading to collapse of airways.
History of smoking, exposure to fumes, chemicals,
dusts, history of asthma.
These factors can lead to a chronic inflammatory state
that may cause pathological changes.

COPD Symptoms
Dyspnea (1st with exertion then becomes more
common) (maybe unaware)
Chronic Cough with sputum production
Can have recurrent episodes of cough w/ sputum,
wheezing, dyspnea, and fatigue. These symptoms
can be difficult to separate from other ongoing
diseases.
Symptoms vary over course of the day and can
cause weight gain/loss or depression or anxiety.
COPD can be a comorbidity of many diseases
(metabolic syndrome, CVD, lung cancer, etc.)

Diagnosis
Can do blood tests to rule out diseases (BNP
for heart failure), electrolytes and other labs
for alternative diagnoses. -1 antitrypsin
levels
Can do a serum bicarbonate if normal kidney
function
Pulmonary function tests to determine airflow
limitations, imaging, pulse oximetry.
Diagnosis of exclusion?

Treatment
Bronchodilators (many types but can be
short or long acting and beta-agonist or
anticholinergic), inhaled glucocorticoid,
O2 therapy.
Smoking consultation, vaccinations
(pneumococcal + flu), pulmonary
rehabilitation.