Case 10 Pre-reading

Question 1

What conditions does COPD include?

Answer 1

emphysema – damage to the air sacs in the lungs

chronic bronchitis – long-term inflammation of the airways

Question 2

Who does COPD most commonly affect?

Answer 2

mainly affects middle-aged or older adults who smoke

Question 3

What are symptoms of COPD?

Answer 3

increasing breathlessness, particularly when you’re active
a persistent chesty cough with phlegm – some people may dismiss this as just a “smoker’s cough”
frequent chest infections
persistent wheezing

Question 4

When should you get medical advice?

Answer 4

See a GP if you have persistent symptoms of COPD, particularly if you’re over 35 and smoke or used to smoke.

Question 5

What are causes of COPD?

Answer 5

COPD happens when the lungs become inflamed, damaged and narrowed. The main cause is smoking, although the condition can sometimes affect people who have never smoked.

Some cases of COPD are caused by long-term exposure to harmful fumes or dust. Others are the result of a rare genetic problem which means the lungs are more vulnerable to damage.

Question 6

What are treatments for COPD?

Answer 6

stopping smoking
inhalers and medicines
pulmonary rehabilitation
surgery or a lung transplant

Question 7

When may you need social care and support guide with COPD?

Answer 7

If you:

need help with day-to-day living because of illness or disability
care for someone regularly because they’re ill, elderly or disabled – including family members