Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Overview

Chronic Productive Cough

Cough producing mucus lasting over specified duration.

Airway Inflammation

Swelling and irritation of bronchial airways.

Mucus Plugging

Blockage of airways by accumulated mucus.

Bronchospasm

Smooth muscle constriction causing airway narrowing.

Air Trapping

Inability to fully exhale air from lungs.

Hyperinflation of Alveoli

Excessive air in alveoli due to trapping.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

A group of lung diseases causing airflow blockage.

Chronic Bronchitis

Productive cough for 3 months over 2 years.

Emphysema

Permanent enlargement of air spaces distal to bronchioles.

Obstructive Lung Diseases

Diseases causing obstruction of airflow in lungs.

Centrilobular Emphysema

Weakening of respiratory bronchioles, linked to smoking.

Panacinar Emphysema

Dilation affecting all alveoli distal to bronchi.

Destruction of Pulmonary Capillaries

Loss of blood vessels in lung tissue.

Lung Parenchyma Loss

Reduction of functional lung tissue.

Elastic Recoil Loss

Decreased ability of lungs to return to normal.

Increased Lung Compliance

Lungs stretch more easily but lose recoil.

Increased Residual Volume

Higher amount of air remaining after exhalation.

Total Lung Capacity

Maximum volume of air lungs can hold.

Cigarette Smoking

Primary risk factor for developing emphysema.

Chronic Inflammation

Persistent immune response causing lung tissue damage.

Anatomic Alterations

Structural changes in lungs due to disease.

Panacinar Emphysema

Abnormal enlargement of air spaces distal to bronchioles.

Alveolar-capillary Surface Area

Significantly decreased in panacinar emphysema.

Location of Panacinar Emphysema

Commonly found in lower lung parts.

Alpha1-antitrypsin Deficiency

Often associated with severe emphysema cases.

Centrilobular Emphysema

Type of emphysema affecting central parts of lobules.

Chronic Bronchitis

Excessive bronchial secretions leading to airway obstruction.

COPD Definition

Preventable, treatable disease with airflow limitation.

COPD Causes

Primarily caused by cigarette smoking and inflammation.

Airflow Limitation in COPD

Not fully reversible and usually progressive.

Small Airways Disease

Obstructive bronchiolitis contributing to COPD airflow limitation.

Parenchymal Destruction

Destruction of lung tissue, primarily in emphysema.

Structural Changes in COPD

Includes airway narrowing and loss of alveolar attachments.

Lung Elastic Recoil

Decreased ability in COPD patients during expiration.

Mucociliary Dysfunction

Impaired clearance of mucus in COPD.

Systemic Inflammation

COPD leads to non-pulmonary consequences like cachexia.

Epidemiology of COPD

10-15 million Americans affected by COPD.

Under-diagnosis of COPD

Most authorities agree COPD is frequently missed.

Risk Factors for COPD

Includes genetic factors like alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.

Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Function

Protects lung tissue by inactivating elastase.

Elastase

Enzyme that damages lung tissue when unchecked.

GOLD Staging

Measures severity of COPD based on symptoms.

Systemic Consequences of COPD

Includes cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and depression.

COPD

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, a progressive lung disease.

GOLD

Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease guidelines.

Age and Gender

Older age and female gender increase COPD risk.

Lung Growth Factors

Factors affecting lung development during gestation and childhood.

Socioeconomic Status

Poverty linked to increased COPD risk factors.

Exposure to Particles

Inhalation of harmful particles contributing to COPD.

Tobacco Smoke

Primary risk factor for COPD from various smoking forms.

Occupational Exposures

Exposure to dust and chemicals at work increases risk.

Indoor Air Pollution

Pollution from burning fuels in poorly ventilated spaces.

Outdoor Air Pollution

Environmental pollutants with minor effect on COPD risk.

Asthma

Chronic condition linked to increased COPD susceptibility.

Chronic Bronchitis

Long-term inflammation of the airways, a COPD risk factor.

Severe Respiratory Infections

Childhood infections linked to reduced lung function later.

Spirometry

Pulmonary function test essential for diagnosing COPD.

Assessment of Airflow Limitation

Evaluates airflow using FVC, FEV1, and FEV1/FVC ratio.

FVC

Forced Vital Capacity, total air exhaled after deep breath.

FEV1

Forced Expiratory Volume in one second measurement.

mMRC Dyspnea Scale

Questionnaire assessing breathlessness severity in COPD patients.

COPD Assessment Test (CAT)

Tool to evaluate symptoms and impact of COPD.

COPD Exacerbation

Acute worsening of respiratory symptoms requiring treatment.

Exacerbation Severity Levels

Classified as mild, moderate, or severe based on treatment.

High Exacerbation Risk

Two or more yearly exacerbations indicate high risk.

COPD

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease affecting airflow.

Comorbidities

Additional diseases worsening COPD condition.

Cardiovascular disease

Heart-related conditions impacting COPD patients.

Skeletal muscle dysfunction

Weakness affecting muscles in COPD patients.

Metabolic syndrome

Cluster of conditions increasing heart disease risk.

Osteoporosis

Bone density loss, common in COPD patients.

Depression

Mood disorder prevalent among COPD sufferers.

Anxiety

Mental health condition affecting COPD management.

Lung cancer

Malignancy often associated with COPD.

Chest x-ray

Imaging to rule out other lung diseases.

Chest CT

Detailed imaging for assessing lung conditions.

Lung Volume Testing

Measures lung capacity and airflow obstruction.

DLCO testing

Assesses gas exchange efficiency in lungs.

Oximetry

Measures blood oxygen saturation levels.

ABG

Arterial Blood Gas test for respiratory function.

Exercise Testing

Evaluates physical capacity and COPD severity.

Alpha1 Antitrypsin Deficiency

Genetic condition affecting lung function.

Chronic Bronchitis

COPD type with excessive mucus production.

Emphysema

COPD type characterized by alveolar damage.

Pink Puffer

Emphysema patient presentation with breathlessness.

Blue Bloater

Chronic bronchitis patient with cyanosis.

PaO2

Partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood.

PaCO2

Partial pressure of carbon dioxide in blood.

Cor pulmonale

Right heart failure due to lung disease.

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