Give your own definition of COPD.

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is an inclusive term for chronic bronchitis, bronchial asthma and emphysema with the progressive limitation of airflow. This involves constriction of the airways and result in discomfort and makes it difficult to breathe.

 

Beskryf kortliks die voorgestelde etiologie en patofisiologie van chroniese brongitis en emfiseem.

• Chronic bronchitis: Non-specific obstructive airway disease with increased mucus productions and decreased mucosal clearance. Also the appearance of structural changes in the bronchial wall, frequent bacterial airway infections and chronic cough due to sticky mucus.
• Emphysema: This develops usually due to smoking and other irritants (air pollution, chemical fumes). Causes irreversible removal of respiratory bronchiole and alveoli due to structural damage which leads to decreased capillary blood vessel gas exchange.

 

Which types of therapy are included in the treatment of a COPD patient.

• Stop smoking
• Bacterial infections – Immunization against influenza, wide spectrum antibiotics (tetracyclines, erythromycin)
• Airflow obstruction – Bronchodilators
• Mucus secretion – Dilute mucus (steam and rehydration)
• Hypoxia – Oxygen inhalations
• Poor lung capacity – Regular light to moderate exercise

 

Why is ipratropium more effective in the treatment of chronic bronchitis than in the treatment of bronchial asthma

• In asthma a person’s airways become inflamed and ipratropium does not have anti-inflammatory effects. Ipratropium is an anticholinergic agent which inhibits vagus-mediated bronchoconstriction which is more suitable for chronic bronchitis.

 

In which way do the skeletal muscle effects of theophylline have advantages in the treatment of COPD

• Theophylline improves contractility of skeletal muscle and reverse fatigue of the diaphragm in patients with COPD. This effect improves the ventilatory response to hypoxia and to diminish dyspnea even in patients with irreversible airflow obstruction.

 

What is the role of oxygen therapy in COPD.

• This will increase oxygen levels in the lungs and blood circulation that will help improve the shortness of breath (dyspnea) and hypoxia.