COPD
CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE
Juliana Tambellini
University of Pittsburgh
COPD
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
A progressive disease that affects the
lungs, making it difficult to breathe
COPD: AN UMBRELLA TERM
Umbrella term used to describe progressive
lung diseases which include:
Emphysema
Chronic bronchitis
Refractory (irreversible) asthma
Severe bronchiectasis
OTHER NAMES FOR COPD
Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease
(COLD)
Chronic Lower Respiratory Disease
(CLRD)
COPD
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a
lung ailment that is characterized by a persistent
blockage of airflow from the lungs.
It is an under-diagnosed, life-threatening lung
disease that interferes with normal breathing and is
not fully reversible.
UNDERSTANDING COPD
Critical to first understand normal lung function
Image courtesy of The National Institute of health
LUNG STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION
Biological Science Freeman, 2010
LUNGS WITH COPD
Image courtesy of The National Institute of health
CAUSES
Most cases of COPD occur as a result of long-term
exposure to lung irritants that damage the lungs and
the airways
The most common irritant that causes COPD is
cigarette smoke
In rare cases, a genetic condition called alpha-1
antitrypsin deficiency may play a role in causing
COPD
WHO IS AT RISK?
People who smoke or are exposed to smoke
People who have a family history of COPD are more
likely to develop the disease if they smoke
Long-term exposure to other lung irritants also is a risk
factor for COPD
Almost 90% of COPD deaths occur in low- and middle-
income countries, where effective strategies for
prevention and control are not always implemented or
accessible.
SYMPTOMS
breathlessness
abnormal sputum (a mix of saliva and mucus in the
airway)
a chronic cough
daily activities can become very difficult as the
condition gradually worsens
DIAGNOSIS
A simple diagnostic test called "spirometry
measures how much air a person can inhale and
exhale, and how fast air can move into and out of
the lungs
Spirometry can detect
COPD long before its
Symptoms appear.
TREATMENT
COPD has no cure
Quitting smoking is the most important step an
individual can take to treat COPD
Other treatments for COPD may include medicines,
vaccines, pulmonary rehabilitation (rehab), oxygen
therapy, and surgery
MANAGING COPD
COPD symptoms usually slowly worsen over time
A cold, the flu, or a lung infection may cause
symptoms to intensify
Prescription antibiotics may treat infections and
other medicines, such as bronchodilators and
inhaled steroids, can help facilitate breathing
MANAGING COPD
Avoid lung irritants
Get ongoing care
Manage the disease and its symptoms
Prepare for emergencies
COPD: STATISTICS
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
estimates that 12 million adults have COPD, and
another 12 million are undiagnosed or developing
COPD
Estimated that over 210 million people worldwide
have COPD
COPD: STATISTICS
COPD cost the U.S. economy about $32.1 billion, in
direct and indirect costs in 2002
A person with COPD dies every four minutes in the
U.S
COPD will be the third leading cause of death in
the U.S. by 2020
WHO RESPONSE
Raise awareness about the global epidemic of
chronic diseases
Create more healthy environments, especially for
poor and disadvantaged populations
Decrease common chronic disease risk factors, such
as tobacco use, unhealthy diet and physical
inactivity
Prevent premature deaths and avoidable disabilities
from major chronic diseases
SOURCES
The World Health Organization
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs315/en/
The COPD Foundation
http://www.copdfoundation.org/
The US Department of Health and Human Services
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Copd/Co
pd_WhatIs.html
National Heart Lung and Blood Institute
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/lung/other/copd
_breathe.htm
Center for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov/
