Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an inflammatory lung disease that results in obstructed airflow from the lungs. When a person takes a breath, air travels down the windpipe into airways. These airways scatter into smaller, much thinner tubes that end in a bunch of tiny air sacs. These air sacs stretch and inflates when a person breathes in and then deflates when the person breathes out. When a patient is diagnosed with COPD, their lung function is greatly lessened with air flowing in and out of the airways.
Once this happens many signs and symptoms including shortness of breath, wheezing, lack of energy, chest tightening, etc. Other complications include depression, high blood pressure …show more content…
Chest X-ray’s show emphysema, one of the main causes of COPD. An X-ray can also rule out other lung or cardiac issue. A CT scan of the lungs can show emphysema and help figure out if surgery is beneficial for COPD. CT scans can also be used to look for lung cancer. A fourth common test is an arterial blood gas analysis. This blood test measures how the lungs are supplying oxygen into the blood and stopping the flow of carbon dioxide. Laboratory tests aren't used to diagnose COPD, but they can be used to figure out the causes of some symptoms. This test may be done if there is a family history of COPD and the patient develops COPD at a young age, such as under age …show more content…
The biggest step in any treatment plan for COPD is to stop all smoking. It's the only way to keep COPD from getting worse which can eventually reduce the ability to breathe.
Bronchodilators is a common medication used to relax the muscles that are around the airways. This stops the coughing and shortness of breath. Lung and oxygen therapy is used for moderate to severe COPD and varies from doctor.
Atrovent also known as Ipratropium Bromide is used when treating COPD. It is a bronchodilator and helps clear the patients’ airway. The side effects are headache, nausea, dry mouth, nervousness, shaking etc. It can be used for COPD, asthma, Vasomotor rhinitis, and bronchospasm’s. Another common drug used for COPD is Cultivate, also known as Fluticasone. It is a corticosteroid that is used for pain, COPD, seasonal allergies, asthma, and more. Common side effects include fever, chills, weakness, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, sore throat, and changes in the