COPD Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

2. COPDChronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease • COPD is a long-term lung disease usually caused by smoking. COPD is a triad of diseases; emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and asthma. Some patients may have one, or two or all three disorders. All three are outflow obstructive diseases, impending the exhalation of air from the lungs. This causes an increase in Carbon dioxide and a decrease on oxygenation. COPD is a recurrent and chronic obstruction of airflow in the airways.

3. How they interrelate

4. What does COPD do to my lungs? COPD slowly damages your airways - the tubes that go in and out of your lungs. People with COPD have swollen and partly blocked airways. They can also have damage in the air sacs at the tips (alveoli)of their airways. COPD makes it hard to breathe because the airways and air sacs in your lungs lose their shape and stretchiness the walls between many of the air sacs are destroyed the walls of the airways become thick and swollen cells in the airways make more mucus than usual, which blocks the airways. The emphysema part of COPD means you have damage to the air sacs at the tips of your airways(alveoli). This makes it hard for your body to take in the oxygen it needs. The chronic bronchitis part of COPD means your airways are irritated, red, and make too much sticky mucous. The walls of your airways are swollen and partly block the air from passing through.

5. How would a patient look?

6. Smoking cigarettes causes about 90 % of COPD cases

7. Is second hand smoke a COPD Trigger?

8. Complications of COPD: Recurring chest infections, including pneumonia, the flu, etc. Pulmonary hypertension: abnormally high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs Cor pulmonale: enlargement and strain on the right side of the heart Increased blood count Arrhythmias (irregular heart beat) Dependence on mechanical ventilation and oxygen therapy Pneumothorax (air outside the lung) Respiratory failure

9. Picture of Lungs Healthy Lung Lung with Emphysema

11. People with COPD usually have a combination of these symptoms: Feeling short of breath A barrel-shaped chest Wheezing Frequent, long-lasting lung infections (the flu, pneumonia, etc.) Feeling tired (fatigue) Losing weight without trying Signs & Symptoms Key Features Shortness of breath Wheezing and coughing A barrel Shaped chest Breathing through pursed lips prolonged respiratory features Skinny person Using accessory muscles to breath

12. COPD Flare–ups: A COPD flare-up happens when COPD symptoms get worse, or when new symptoms develop. A flare-up is often brought on by a lung infection. Flare-ups are one of the biggest reasons why people with COPD become disabled or have to be hospitalized. • Warning signs of a potential flare-up. • These warning signs include: • Mucus (phlegm) that is yellow, green or brown • An increase in the amount, thickness or stickiness of • your mucus (phlegm) • Chest pain • Fever • Swollen ankles • Needing to sleep sitting up instead of lying down • Morning headaches, dizziness, trouble sleeping, • confusion • Blue lips or fingers • An unusual increase in shortness of breath • Feeling sick

13. Chronic Bronchitis

14. What treatment would you give to this Patient?

16. Oxygen(1 survey) Ventolin(protocol) www.lung.ca COPD fundation Essentials of Paramedic . vol 2 bledslow,porter,etc. www.emedicine.com