Give your own definition of COPD.
COPD is chronic obstructive airways disease.

It consists of different degrees and combinations of bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis and emphysema. There are several characteristics associated with COPD and include:
Limited airflow
Poor gas exchange
Shortened quality of life
Increased anxiety
Hypoxia
COPD can even lead to death.

 Briefly describe the proposed etiology and pathophysiology of chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
Chronic bronchitis:

It is a non-specific obstructive airway disease characterized by:

Increased mucus secretions
Decreased mucosal clearance
Frequent bacterial respiratory infections
Structural changes in bronchial walls
Chronic cough due to sticky mucus
Airway narrows when filled with mucus - the changes restrict the flow of oxygen into and out of the lungs

Emphysema:

Develops mostly due to smoking and irritating
It is irreversible dilation of respiratory bronchioles and alveoli
The widening is due to structural damage
Air is trapped in the lungs and makes breathing difficult
It causes a decrease in capillary blood vessels which makes gas exchange difficult
It is characterized by damaged alveoli that cause old air to get trapped in it and that new air cannot penetrate it.
 


What types of therapy are included to treat a COPD patient?
Quitting smoking

If there is a bacterial infection:
Immunization against influenza
Broad spectrum antibiotics with infection, eg tetracyclines, amoxicillin, ampicillin, erythromycin, co-trimoxazole
If there is an airflow obstruction:
Bronchodilators
Secret:
Dilute mucus (rehydration and steam)
Hypoxia:
Oxygen inhalation
Weak lung capacity:
Regular light to moderate exercise
 
Why is ipratropium more effective in treating chronic bronchitis than in treating bronchial asthma?
Ipratropium is an anticholinergic drug.

In the treatment of chronic bronchitis:
Ipratropium mimics the actions of atropine by inhibiting salivary and mucosal secretions and dilating bronchial smooth muscle.

In the treatment of bronchial asthma:
It blocks cholinergic receptors and lowers cGMP production
The decrease in lung airway causes a decrease in the contraction of smooth muscle.
 
In what ways do the skeletal muscle effects of theophylline have benefits in the treatment of COPD?
Theophylline improves contraction function of the diaphragm and thus improves ventilatory capacity

 What is the role of oxygen therapy in COPD?
Oxygen treatment increases the amount of oxygen that flows into your lungs and bloodstream. In severe cases of COPD, the patient's oxygen count is very low and so getting more oxygen can help the patient breathe better.