Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD): Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatments
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a respiratory disease that causes an abnormal inflammatory reaction in the lungs due to the ingestion of harmful particles or gas, which leads to progressive restriction of airflow, resulting in impaired lung function and dyspnea. Typically, emphysema and chronic bronchitis are among them. Smoking is the greatest risk factor for COPD. In addition to smoking, several host factors and environmental factors are combined to cause chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which is attributed to genes, airway hyperresponsiveness, dust and chemicals, and air pollution.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is an irreversible disease that can be maintained while controlling symptoms, but it can not improve the disease. Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment is good to start. An important feature in distinguishing between chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma is irreversible. In chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, air obstruction occurs, resulting in air trapping and increased TLC, FRC, and RV. The decrease in FEV1 / FVC is the most significant feature of pulmonary function test. If FEV1 / FVC is less than 70% after inhalation of bronchodilator, irreversible airway obstruction can be judged.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease can cause acute exacerbation, which can lead to acute exacerbation of various causes. The main reason is infection. Other causes include heart problems such as air pollution, LV failure and arrhythmia, Pneumothorax, pulmonary thromboembolism, high oxygen doses, sedatives and muscle weakness.
In acute exacerbation of COPD, the use of a short-acting bronchodilator, antibiotics, oral steroids, oxygen administration, and mechanical ventilator may be considered when symptoms are severe. Antibiotics can be used if there is signs of infection, such as increased respiratory distress, increased sputum, or purulent sputum. If the exact causative organism is not clear, antibiotics may be used once the deterioration is severe. It is advisable to keep SaO2 at 90% or higher and PaO2 at 60 ~ 65 mmHg or higher when oxygen is administered. Usually 0.5 to 2 liters of oxygen is sufficient.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is an irreversible disease that can be maintained while controlling symptoms, but it can not improve the disease. Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment is good to start. An important feature in distinguishing between chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma is irreversible. In chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, air obstruction occurs, resulting in air trapping and increased TLC, FRC, and RV. The decrease in FEV1 / FVC is the most significant feature of pulmonary function test. If FEV1 / FVC is less than 70% after inhalation of bronchodilator, irreversible airway obstruction can be judged.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease can cause acute exacerbation, which can lead to acute exacerbation of various causes. The main reason is infection. Other causes include heart problems such as air pollution, LV failure and arrhythmia, Pneumothorax, pulmonary thromboembolism, high oxygen doses, sedatives and muscle weakness.
In acute exacerbation of COPD, the use of a short-acting bronchodilator, antibiotics, oral steroids, oxygen administration, and mechanical ventilator may be considered when symptoms are severe. Antibiotics can be used if there is signs of infection, such as increased respiratory distress, increased sputum, or purulent sputum. If the exact causative organism is not clear, antibiotics may be used once the deterioration is severe. It is advisable to keep SaO2 at 90% or higher and PaO2 at 60 ~ 65 mmHg or higher when oxygen is administered. Usually 0.5 to 2 liters of oxygen is sufficient.
