Clinical features of COPD

Question 1

What does COPD stand for?

Answer 1

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Question 2

what is COPD?

Answer 2

it is a lung disease characterised by chronic obstruction of lung airflow that interferes with normal breathing and is not fully reversible

Question 3

what are the more familiar terms now included within the COPD diagnosis?

Answer 3

chronic bronchitis and emphysema

Question 4

what is the progressive disease that makes it hard to breathe?

Answer 4

COPD

Question 5

what may contribute to COPD?

Answer 5

long term exposure to other lung irritants - such as air pollution, chemical fumes, or dusts

Question 6

can asthma be cured?

Answer 6

no

Question 7

why are short term medications used for in relation to asthma?

Answer 7

short term medications are used to relieve symptoms

Question 8

what are asthma triggers?

Answer 8

they are stimuli that irritate and inflame airways, it is important to avoid asthma triggers

Question 9

what is asthma?

Answer 9

it is a respiratory condition marked by attacks of spasm in the bronchi of the lungs, causing difficulty in breathing

Question 10

what condition is usually connected to allergic reaction or other forms of hypersensitivity?

Answer 10

asthma

Question 11

can asthma be controlled?

Answer 11

appropriate management of asthma can control the disease and enable people too enjoy good quality of life

Question 12

what is the goal of COPD management?

Answer 12

to improve a patients functional status and quality of life by preserving optimal lung function, improving symptoms, and preventing the recurrence of exacerbations

Question 13

what medications are used for patients with stable COPD?

Answer 13

oral and inhaled medications are used to reduce dyspnea and improve exercise tolerance

Question 14

why is pharmacotherapy used for COPD?

Answer 14

it is used to decrease symptoms and complications as there is no existing medication for COPD shown to modify the long term decline in lung function that is the hallmark of COPD

Question 15

is there a cure for COPD?

Answer 15

no

Question 16

can the progression of COPD be slowed down?

Answer 16

yes

Question 17

how can the progression of COPD be slowed down?

Answer 17

through maintenance therapy, certain steps can help slow the progression of COPD and improve your lung function, i.e. quitting smoking

Question 18

what are the 3 cardinal symptoms of COPD?

Answer 18

• dyspnea
• chronic cough
• sputum production

Question 19

less common symptoms of COPD are?

Answer 19

wheezing and chest tightness

Question 20

symptoms of COPD are?

Answer 20

an ongoing cough or a cough that produces a lot of mucus; this is often called smoker’s cough, shortness of breath, especially with physical activity, wheezing or a whistling or squeaky sound when you breathe, chest tightness

Question 21

discuss the epidemiology of COPD

Answer 21

COPD is the 4th leading cause of death in the world

approximately there are 2.75 millions deaths per year

Question 22

what is acute exacerbation of COPD?

Answer 22

sudden worsening of COPD symptoms that typically lasts for several days

Question 23

how may acute COPD be triggered?

Answer 23

it may be triggered by an infection with bacteria or viruses or by environmental pollutants

Question 24

why is quantification of the severity of exacerbations in COPD important?

Answer 24

it is important in medical management when making choices in treatment, it is also especially important in determining whether a new therapy is effective in limiting the consequences of exacerbations

Question 25

what are the 4 stages of COPD?

Answer 25

mild COPD
moderately severe COPD
severe COPD
very severe COPD

Question 26

what is mild COPD?

Answer 26

the lowest severity level of COPD, this level is characterised by very minor airflow limitation and possibly some coughing and sputum

Question 27

what is moderately severe COPD?

Answer 27

this stage is when the limitation of airflow begins to worsen and is easy to see on a spirometry test

Question 28

list investigations used to diagnose COPD?

Answer 28

spirometry
overview
blood tests
scans
sputum
EKG
bronchodilator reversibility test

Question 29

what are some similarities between COPD and asthma?

Answer 29

both are chronic inflammatory diseases that involve the small airways and cause airflow limitation,

both result from gene-environment interactions,

both are usually characterised by mucus and bronchoconstriction,

both have similar symptoms including chronic coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath

Question 30

what are the differences between asthma and COPD?

Answer 30

COPD is characterised by decreased airflow over time, as well as inflammation of the tissues that line the airway

asthma is usually considered a separate respiratory disease, but sometimes it is mistaken for COPD