C

O
P
D

hronic
bstructive
ulmonary
isease

What is COPD?
Refers to a group of lung diseases
that block airflow as you exhale
Damage to airways interferes with
exchange of CO2 laden air with fresh
oxygenated air
Breathing becomes progressively
more difficult

Major Diseases Associated with

COPD

Chronic bronchitis
Emphysema
Asthma
COPD patients are
often affected by more
than one of the
diseases

Chronic
Emphysema
Bronchitis

Asthma

Chronic Bronchitis
Causes inflammation and narrowing
of airways leading into lungs
May cause coughing and wheezing
Increased mucus production
Further blocks narrowed tubes

Emphysema
Damages alveoli
Gradually destroys inner wall of alveoli
clusters
Reduces surface area available for CO2 to O2
exchange

Makes alveoli walls weaker and less

elastic
Collapses with exhalation
Traps air in alveoli

Leads to shortness of breath

Chest walls have to work harder to expel

Asthma

Airways narrow and swell

Extra mucus production
Coughing and wheezing
Difficult breathing
Airway spasms

Causes
Long-term exposure to airborne
irritants and toxins
Tobacco smoke
Air pollution
Dust & chemical fumes

Genetic predisposition can make

lungs easier to damage
Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency

Signs & Symptoms

COPD develops slowly most patients
are at least 40 when symptoms begin
Signs dont usually appear until
significant lung damage has happened
Symptoms worsen over time
Exacerbation: Symptoms will suddenly get
much worse

Symptoms will vary depending on

which lung disease is primary

Symptomology
Progression
Early Symptoms

Later Symptoms

Morning cough
Coughing up clear
sputum (mucus from
deep in lungs)
Wheezing
Shortness of breath

Worsened shortness of
breath
Choking feeling when laying
flat
Fatigue & trouble
concentrating
Heart problems
Weight loss
Breathing thru pursed lips
Desire to lean forward to
improve breathing
More frequent flare-ups

Diagnosis
Chest x-ray
Detect infection

CT scan
Blood tests
Measure O2 and CO2
present

Lung function tests

Treatment
There is no cure for COPD
Damage to lungs cant be reversed
Treatment focuses on controlling symptoms
& minimizing further damage
Multi-faceted approach
Lifestyle changes
Exercise
Nutrition
Medication
Further medical care

Lifestyle Changes
Quit smoking!
Avoid air irritants (pollution, dust,
chemicals)
Avoid high altitudes
Pace your activities
Learn relaxation techniques to
reduce stress
Build emotional support system with
family, friends and professionals

Exercise
Yoga
Special exercises can strengthen
chest walls
Exercise builds endurance and
improves quality of life
Specialized breathing techniques

Nutrition
Maintain normal weight
Diet low in fats
Rich in fruits,
vegetables, whole
grain foods
Eat several small
meals during day
Avoid gas producing
foods
Drink fluids to thin
mucus

Medication
Bronchodilators, inhaled
corticosteroids
Advair Diskus, Combivent
Open airways
Relax breathing passages
Decrease inflammation
Help thin secretions and bring up sputum

Antibiotics to treat lung infections

Further Medical Care

Oxygen therapy
Vaccines
Pneumonia and flu vaccines may help
reduce COPD flare-ups

Surgery
Lung volume reduction surgery
Removes small wedges of damaged lung
tissue
Creates extra space in chest so remaining
lung tissue and diaphragm work more
efficiently

Lung transplant

Outcomes of COPD

Respiratory infections
High blood pressure
Heart problems
Depression
Death
In the U.S., COPD is the 3rd leading cause of death
Heart disease is 1st, followed by cancer

CDC death extrapolation (1999) for COPD

124,181 per year 10,348 per month 2,388 per week
340 per day 14 per hour (Health Grades Inc., 2012)

References
Atrium Legal Services. (n.d.). COPD (Bronchitis/Emphysema) Claim [image]. Retrieved March 29,
2012, from Atrium Legal Services:
http://www.atriumlegal.com/what_we_do/copd_bronchitis_emphysema_/index.html
EBSCO Publishing. (2011, December 6). Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (Alternative
Therapy). Retrieved March 29, 2012, from Health Library: Evidence-Based Information:
http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nrc&AN=2009580617&site=nrc-live
Health Grades Inc. (2012, February 1). Statistics about COPD. Retrieved April 1, 2012, from Right
Diagnosis: http://www.rightdiagnosis.com/c/copd/stats.htm
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2010, May 27). Asthma. Retrieved March 31, 2012, from Mayo Clinic:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/asthma/DS00021
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2011, March 15). COPD. Retrieved March 31, 2012, from Mayo Clinic:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/copd/DS00916
Office of Information Services. (2012, January 27). Leading Causes of Death. Retrieved April 1,
2012, from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/lcod.htm
Pneumoconiosis Help & Advice. (n.d.). Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease [image]. Retrieved
March 29, 2012, from Pneumoconiosis Help & Advice:
http://www.medindia.net/patients/patientinfo/images/Chronic-Obstructive-Pulmonary-Disease.jpg
Wood, D. (2011, September 22). Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Retrieved March 29,
2012, from Health Library: Evidence-Based Information: http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?
direct=true&db=nrc&AN=2009544255&site=nrc-live