COPD

Question 1

COPD–essentials of diagnosis

Answer 1

• History of smoking
• Chronic cough, dyspnea, sputum production
• Rhonchi, decreased intensity of breath sounds, and prolonged expiration on PE
• Airflow limitation on pulmonary fnx testing–progressive and not reversible

Question 2

COPD characterized by

Answer 2

• progressive airflow obst. due to chronic bronchitis or emphysema
• may be accompanied by airway hyperactivity and may be partially reversible
• Most patients have features of both emphysema and chronic bronchitis

Question 3

Chronic bronchitis

Answer 3

-excessive secretion of bronchial mucus; productive cough for 3 months or more in at least 2 consecutive years

Question 4

Emphysema

Answer 4

Abnormal permanent enlargement of airspaces distal to terminal bronchiole with destruction of walls without fibrosis

Question 5

Most important cause of COPD

Answer 5

Cigarette smoke!!

• Almost all smokers suffer an accelerated decline in lung function that is dose and duration dependent
• Other exposures=occupational dusts, chemicals, indoor air pollution from biomass fuel used for cooking