COPD Research Paper

COPD: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Angelia Alleyne
HCS/245
May 4, 2015
Professor Lori Olson
COPD: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, is a long-term disease that causes breathing problems. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the third leading cause of death worldwide. COPD, however, is a heterogeneous collection of diseases with differing causes, pathogenic mechanisms, and physiological effects. Therefore a comprehensive approach to COPD prevention will need to address the complexity of COPD. Advances in the understanding of the natural history of COPD and the development of strategies to assess COPD in its early stages make prevention a reasonable, if ambitious,
The signs and symptoms of COPD may happen slowly. Shortness of breath, especially during activity, is one the earliest symptoms. You may have a morning cough that is dry, or that brings up mucus from the lungs. Smokers may mistake this cough for a “normal smoker’s cough”. A smoker’s cough is never “normal” and may mean that your lungs are already damaged by smoking. As time passes, the cough may start to last longer during the day. You may start to cough up more mucus. You may be prone to develop colds and other lung infections more often than you used
Your skin, nail beds, or lips may turn dusky or blue and you may become more short of breath and get tired more easily. You may also have some trouble walking as far as you use to walk and at times you may make a very high pitched noise when you breathe, this is called wheezing. Sometimes your breathing may become faster and shallower than it used to be and weight loss may be rapid. You can also become very anxious or depressed because of your breathing problems. Advanced COPD may lead to heart problems. This can happen when the heart has to work much harder because of the damage to your lungs. You may get some swelling in your ankles, legs, or stomach. You may have blood pressure problems or chest pain.
When a person has COPD, they may have times where their symptoms get worse very quickly. The main symptom of exacerbations is increasing shortness of breath. You may cough up more mucus than usual, or mucus that is different color than usual. Exacerbations of COPD need to be treated as soon as possible. If you have increasing trouble breathing, signs of an infection, you should see your physician as soon as