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What is COPD? Symptoms of the disease

Diseases of the respiratory system, in which there is a violation of the passage of air through the airways, prone to constant progression and irreversible course, is called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or abbreviated COPD. Symptoms of this group of illnesses are expressed in constant dyspnea, especially during periods of exacerbation, with a cough with viscous sputum. The pathogenesis of COPD, the symptoms of the disease, depends on the degree of damage to the lung tissue from the influence of etiological factors. Hypersecretion of bronchial mucus occurs, its viscosity increases and, as a result, mucus is difficultly evacuated from the respiratory tract. If it happens that a bacterial or viral infection is taking place, COPD exacerbates with an increase in temperature, a deterioration in the general condition, the appearance of severe hypoxia and respiratory failure.

It should be noted that the disease COPD, is characterized by a constantly evolving course, with alternating periods of exacerbation and relative calm of the pathological process. Often, the disease is difficult to treat, requires constant intake of maintenance drugs and the right lifestyle. Patients, especially the elderly, are on disability, working capacity and tolerance to physical exertion are steadily reduced.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease unites in its name several diseases of the respiratory system: chronic obstructive bronchitis, chronic pulmonary heart, emphysema of the lungs and, as a complication of these diseases, pulmonary hypertension.

Causes of COPD

In obstructive illness, a pathological change in the pulmonary tissue is noted, not all people are inclined to this, there is a hereditary predisposition, a lack of antitrypsin. Damaging factors are, first of all: long-term smoking, harmful production (occupational hazard). They are detrimental to light cement and silicon dust, dust particles of cotton or grain crops on the elevator or during harvesting. Not the least role is played by a bad ecological situation. Etiological factors, irritating secretory cells, cause hypersecretion of the bronchial secretion. The modified ciliated epithelium can not evacuate the viscous mucus in sufficient quantity, it stagnates and blockage (obstruction) of the pathways occurs at various levels. The overgrowth of the respiratory muscles leads to the formation of foci of increased airiness. Regardless of the cause of COPD, its symptoms are similar in different diseases.

Signs of COPD, symptoms in various diseases

Obstructive chronic bronchitis is characterized by a wet cough with hard-to-recover sputum. Strengthening of a cough occurs at cold, cold weather. The bronchial secretion becomes viscous and it is difficult to depart, often it is accompanied by a subfebrile condition. In especially severe cases, bronchospasm with respiratory failure may develop.

With emphysema, the functional components of the lungs, the alveoli, are pathologically expanded, causing an increase in their airiness, overgrowth of the alveolar wall, and the inability of normal gas exchange. The disease affects the pulmonary tissue is limited (focal) and diffusely. The lungs at the same time resemble grape clusters. A specific form of the chest is characteristic , it takes the form of a barrel due to excess air. Patients complain of persistent shortness of breath, visually one can note the involvement of additional muscles during breathing. If percussion is to tap the chest, a box sound is heard.

Methods of treatment of COPD

The main objective of COPD therapy is to eliminate the causes of the disease and the possible slowdown in the progression of the disease. The patient should, if possible, give up smoking, if there is professional harm, change the place of work. It is desirable to regularly engage in physical therapy, respiratory gymnastics. It is very important to avoid colds. The aggravation of the disease is treated with drugs that dilute the bronchi. These are derivatives of tiotropium (spiriva, atrovent), which are used in inhalation form. They remove inflammation and edema of tissues hormones (prednisolone, hydrocortisone, dexamethasone). When bacterial infection resort to the appointment of antibiotics.

Departure and dilution of sputum cause mucolytics.

With respiratory failure, it is useful to inhale pure oxygen.

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