Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Physiology

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Introduction

According to Blackler and Mooney (2007), the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a progressive illness that is described by airflow impediments that are not reversible. The airflow obstructions are occasionally linked to the damage of lung parenchyma. COPD comprises diverse diseases such as chronic bronchitis, asthma and emphysema. Its prevalence varies greatly because it is underdiagnosed by the majority of people. In addition to its symptoms being hard to diagnose, the majority of the nurses and doctors lack enough information concerning appropriate primary care. According to Calverley and Pride (1995), COPD, a smoking disease, is the sixth disease that causes human deaths in the world.

Physiology of COPD

The majority of the people get COPD via gaseous exchange. The intake of polluted air or air full of dust contributes significantly towards an individual contracting COPD. The other fact concerning COPD is that it is also a genetic disease; it passes from parents to offspring (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 1986).

Typical symptoms of COPD

Individuals suffering from COPD not only experience difficulties in breathing but also cough strenuously and produce chronic mucus. COPD also affects an individual’s physical performance; the majority of the person suffering have difficulties in carrying out their activities. In sum, a person suffering from COPD not only produces sputum regularly but also a wheezing sound when breathing in and out (Currie, 1991).

Etiology of COPD

Studies have shown a high relation between smoking of cigarettes and the contracting of COPD. According to MacNee (2004), it is also evident that increase in age contributes to severity of COPD. Majority of the individuals above the age of 65 have been found so susceptible to it compared to those below the age of 65. Research carried in the UK proves COPD as gender sensitive disease; it affects men more than women. However, the difference can be explained by the high number of male smokers as compared to women (Miller, 1980).

In addition, malnutrition contributes significantly towards individuals contracting COPD. It leads to the lungs of the fetus not developing fully thus resulting to it suffering from lung infections. Inhalation of polluted air produced by automobiles or solid fuel used also play a significant role towards advancing the occurrence of COPD on the inhalers (Martinez and Wedzicha, 2009).

Management of COPD

Management of COPD is mandatory as lack of this translates to early death of the affected. Management of COPD requires an individual to take appropriate measures in daily activities. For instance, it is crucial for COPD patients to reduce the number of exacerbations by taking inhalers. Patients suffering from COPD also need to pay attention to doctor appointments; this plays a significant role in regulating the rate of advancement of COPD disease (European Respiratory Society et al, 2006). Patients also need to have access to pulmonary rehabilitation centers for better understanding and treatment of COPD. It is also crucial for individuals to avoid risk factors such as cigarette smoking, inhalation of chemicals, and inhalation of dust (Stockley, 2007).

Inhalation of dust

According to Altose and Montenegro (1984), inhalation of cigarette smoke leads to accumulation of kaolinite in alveolar macrophages of cigarette abusers which then may result to respiratory bronchiolitis.

Observable symptoms after inhaling dust

COPD is occasionally associated with difficulties in breathing. It is easily diagnosed by diagnostic test termed as spirometry. Spirometry enables an individual identify and measure the amount of air breathed in and out, and the rate at which air moves in and out of an individual’s lungs (Petty, 1985). In severe condition, the ribs of an individual may appear horizontal with a shortened trachea (Bellamy and Booker, 48). Individuals suffering from COPD also experience hard times when walking, climbing a fleet of stairs.

Special measures for controlling dust disasters

As stated earlier, COPD is mainly caused by intake of cigarette smoke by both smokers and non smokers. Thus, states such as UK will easily reduce the spread and severity of COPD via banning cigarette smoking. Additionally, nations need to introduce smoking zones in order to reduce the amount of cigarette dust in the air that affects non smokers via air pollution (Oregon Thoracic Society and American Lung Association, 1977). Through reduction of air pollution, nations will significantly reduce the rate of the COPD occurrence in the world (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 1993).

How emergency responder recognizes disasters

There is a very close association of COPD to unconsciousness; it leads to heat imbalance in an individual (Rochester, 2000). Individuals suffering from COPD also experience difficulties in breathing; as the disease is associated with breathlessness due to its effect on the breathing system. Thus, the characteristics portrayed by patients assist emergency responders in identifying the occurrence of a disaster.

Things to be done in case of a disaster

Natural disasters have been associated with exacerbation of COPD. For instance, severe earthquakes lead to not only emission of dust, but also curtail access to medication and medical facilities (Cherniack, 1991). However, employment of some steps may contribute to reduction of effects of COPD on patients. For instance, provision of adequate drugs to COPD patients in time may help in controlling the severity of COPD when such an incident occurs. Additionally, it is crucial for the countries that experience occasional earthquakes to provide mobile clinical services to COPD patients.

Conclusion

In conclusion, COPD is a disease that is caused by heavy smoking of cigarettes. Its symptoms include breathlessness, strenuous coughing, and production wheezing sound when breathing in and out. Despites its severity, COPD can be managed by regulating the number of exacerbations and stopping smoking.

References

Altose, M. D. & Montenegro, H. D. (1984). Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. New York: Churchill Livingstone.

American Lung Association & Oregon Thoracic Society. (1977). Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. New York: American Lung Association.

Blackler, L., Jones, C., & Mooney, C. (2007). Managing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Chichester, England: J. Wiley & Sons.

Calverley, P. A., & Pride, N. B. (1995). Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. London: Chapman & Hall.

Cherniack, N. S. (1991). Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Philadelphia: Saunders.

Currie, G. P. (2009). Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

European Respiratory Society, Postma, D. S. & Siafakas, N. M. (2006). Management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Sheffield: European Respiratory Society.

MacNee, W. (2004). Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Oxford: Health Press.

Martinez, F. J. & Wedzicha, J. A. (2009). Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations. New York: Informa Healthcare.

Miller, W. C. (1980). Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Garden City, N.Y.: Medical Examination Pub. Co.

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (1986). Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Bethesda, Md.: U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, National Institutes of Health.

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (1993). Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Bethesda, Md.: National Institutes of Health, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

Petty, T. L. (1985). Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. New York: Dekker. Rochester, C. L. (2000). Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders Co.

Stockley, R. A. (2007). Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Malden, Mass: Blackwell Pub.

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