LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Smoking
built 655 days ago
In severe COPD, disease of the lungs has a negative effect on a number of other systems, magnifying functional impairment (figure 3: not shown). The sensation of breathlessness can provoke anxiety, which can be manifest as breathlessness and increased respiratory rate. This can worsen dynamic inflation and cause further respiratory impairment. Breathlessness on exertion eventually leads to reduced exertion. This can result in deconditioning of peripheral muscles, further limiting performance. Intermittent or continuous use of systemic corticosteroids can ... adversely affect peripheral muscle strength.
Source:
COPD is a progressive, largely irreversible disease. Smoking cessation efforts can have a significant impact in the prevention and progression of the disease. Inhalation therapy consisting of scheduled ipratropium and “as needed” beta2-agonists is the regimen of choice. When compliance with or response to this regimen is inadequate, theophylline may be added. Close monitoring for drug interactions and adverse effects is needed when theophylline is used. Systemic corticosteroids may improve lung function in a small group of patients.
Source:
Persistent infection with Chlamydia pneumoniae is linked to chronic diseases, but its importance in COPD is less well defined. Wu and coworkers (7) obtained lung tissue at thoracotomy from 16patients with COPD (FEV1 64% predicted) and 21smokers with normal lung function. All samples contained C.pneumoniae, but patients with COPD had 56% more positive cells per field. Macrophages stained positive in 54% of the patients with COPD and 29% of the controls. The authors conclude that persistent infection with C.pneumoniae is common, and immunostaining is increased in patients with COPD.
Source:
When COPD patients experience an exacerbation of their disease, more aggressive medical therapy may be required. The most commonly used medications in this situation are the short-acting bronchodilators, which are sometimes used on an as-needed basis to relieve acute symptoms (Chorostowska-Wynimko J 2005; Urbano FL 2005). Inhaled and occasionally oral steroid medications may be added as well. If the acute exacerbation is caused by a bacterial infection, antibiotics may be prescribed.
Source:
Treatment focuses on slowing the progression of the disease and relieving symptoms. The only way to reliably slow the progression of the disease is to stop smoking. Medications are used long-term on a daily basis to ease and prevent symptoms, and as needed for short-term relief of symptoms. A pulmonary rehabilitation program that includes counseling, education, exercise, breathing exercises, and nutritional guidance may ... help reduce your symptoms, improve your quality of life, and reduce COPD exacerbations. Oxygen therapy may be needed when oxygen levels in the blood are low.
Source:
This was a retrospective review of a random sample of medical records of patients with the diagnosis of COPD being followed at the outpatient pulmonary and primary care clinics. Patients were identified through the billing diagnosis. The study period was from May 2001 to May 2002. The Institutional Review Board waived the need for informed consent for this study.
Source:
MORE ABOUT
Smoking