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Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Patients
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According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, "Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)... called chronic obstructive lung disease, is a term that is used for two closely related diseases of the respiratory system: chronic bronchitis and emphysema. In many patients these diseases occur together, although there may be more symptoms of one than the other." Here are some valuable resources on COPD.
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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)... called chronic obstructive lung disease, is a term that is used for two closely related diseases of the respiratory system: chronic bronchitis and emphysema. In many patients these diseases occur together, although there may be more symptoms of one than the other. Most patients with these diseases have a long history of heavy cigarette smoking.
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Chronic bronchitis, one of the two major disease of the lung grouped under COPD, is diagnosed when a patient has excessive airway mucus secretion leading to a persistent, productive cough. An individual is considered to have chronic bronchitis if cough and sputum are present on most days for a minimum of 3 months for at least 2 successive years or for 6 months during 1 year. In chronic bronchitis, there may ... be narrowing of the large and small airways, making it more difficult to move air in and out of the lungs.
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Physicians are getting better at predicting acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Exacerbations are episodes of worsening lung function usually brought on by bacterial or viral infection or air pollution. A major goal of COPD treatment is to prevent exacerbations, which may cause permanent damage to lung function. New studies have found that older patients who experienced the following conditions had a greatly increased risk of another exacerbation:
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Patients admitted to Department of Internal Medicine M, Glostrup University hospital, with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) are evaluated with regard to early follow-up by a specialized nurse in the home after discharge. Eligible patients receive education about disease management. The intervention is evaluated by comparing the number of readmissions for COPD and the duration of admissions during the study period to the the period prior to the implementation of this intervention.
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INTRODUCTION — COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, is a condition in which there is limited airflow during expiration (exhaling, or breathing out) that is not fully reversible and usually worsens over time. The disease is estimated to kill more than 100,000 Americans each year, and costs related to care of patients with COPD are significant. It causes a substantial number of patients to be disabled, physically impaired, and reduces quality of life for most people who suffer with it.
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