COPD (Chronical Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) is a slowly progressive disease that is difficult to treat.
COPD – Background
COPD is the umbrella term for chronic obstructive lung illnesses, which result in an increased resistance of the lungs to air flow. Among these illnesses we find chronic bronchitis and emphysema often caused by heavy smoking over many years. COPD ia a common disease and is the fifth leading cause of death around the globe. The World Health Organization estimates that 600 million people suffer from COPD worldwide with 3 million deaths annually.
Symptoms of COPD
Symptoms of COPD include chronic cough, chronic sputum production and progressive, persistent dyspnea (difficult or labored breathing).
Diagonis of COPD
A diagnosis of COPD should be considered in any patient who has the above symptoms and/or a history of exposure to risk factors and confirmed by lung function tests. The simplest and most common of these tests is spirometry, which measures forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1)—how much and how quickly air can be expelled following a deep breath. A simple test with a peak-flow meter, which measures the openness of the airways or airflow, can detect small changes before symptoms appear.
Therapy for COPD
Therapy for COPD mainly treats symptoms. Smoking cessation is the most effective intervention. Pulmonary rehabilitation programs, oxygen therapy and, in very limited situations, surgery are among the non pharmacologic treatments.
Bronchodilators, considered central to symptom management, open or relax narrowed airways, improving lung function. Inhaled therapy is preferred. The principal bronchodilators are β2-agonists (albuterol), anticholinergics (ipratropium bromide), methylxanthines (theophylline), and a combination of these drugs.
Glucocorticosteroids
Glucocorticosteroids may be used in patients with severe and very severe COPD and repeated exacerbations, but prolonged treatment does not result in a greater efficacy and increases the risk of side effects.