Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease - Coursework Example

Burden of a Chronic Condition Name Institution Date Burden of a chronic condition: Chronic Obstructive pulmonary Disease (COPD) Introduction Chronic diseases are an increasing cause of death globally including heart conditions, cancer, and chronic respiratory and cardiovascular disease. These diseases affect vital organs in the human body that deteriorate its proper functioning. According to Hawkes et al (2004), a total of twenty nine million people worldwide died as a result of leading chronic diseases. Chronic Pulmonary Disease is one of the leading chronic diseases that is increasingly causing deaths globally. It is a disease of the lungs that cases complications in the breathing system of a patient. It involves Progressive inflammation of the lungs as a result of blockage of the pulmonary emphysema and exterior bronchus. Patients with Chronic bronchitis experience lasting coughs with mucus while patients with Emphysema experience lung destruction over a period of time. This paper illustrates Chronic Pulmonary Disease (COPD) as a chronic disease in Australia and worldwide. The paper explains reasons for choosing a discussion about COPD, the significance of this discussion to public health, broad determinants of COPD and the individual risks that expose the public to such conditions. The conclusion summaries all aspects of COPD discussed in the paper. Rationale for consideration of the disease Main reason for considering Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is identify cost effective methodologies and policies that will help to deal with prevention and management of future challenges as a result of COPD conditions. Reason for selecting a discussion on COPD is also because it is increasingly claiming the lives of populations in Australia, America and worldwide. Hardly can the condition be reversed unlike Asthma and develops with time getting worse to deteriorate a patient’s health to death.Severe COPD infection in a patient is likely to cause congestive heart failure, malnutrition, depression or make the patient’s bones brittle. Since lungs are respiratory organs, COPD causes deterioration of a patient’s respiration system.COPD is illustrated as the main cause of the respiratory deterioration and illness of patients. Efraimssonet al (2008, P.178), states that, COPD is increasingly causing higher mortality rates, rising to the fourth position among diseases that cause most death globally. In 1990, COPD condition was sixth in the ranking of leading chronic diseases. Another reason is the Economic burden caused by COPD condition to patients suffering from it and general national economy. According toGold (2013) report, it cost the United States economy a total of $42.6 billion to cater for public health care and loss on productivity in 2007. This is attributed to increased smoking among individuals. The government is putting more funds on medical care for the aging population while the young population is increasingly smoking. Smoking is one f the causes of COPD condition and reduces productivity among young people that are supposed to contribute to economic development. Personal financial consequences accrue to the families of patients and affect income generation. Treatment of COPD can involve reduction of lung volume or transplantation of the lung which is surgery and require a lot of money (Decramer et al, 2012). Treatment of COPD condition is costly which leaves people poor and affect economic growth of nations. A higher percent of individuals in developing countries fall under the poverty line, therefore treatment of COPD conditions make them poorer. According to Efraimsson et al (2008, P.178), patients with COPD will indicate symptoms such as wheezing, chronic coughs, increasing infections in the respiratory passage and difficulty in breathing. Most patients become seriously ill and maybe admitted to the intensive care unit mainly as a result of respiratory system deterioration. The prevalence of COPD nationally and internationally Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is more prevalent among adults than the young population. According to Barnes (2009), the burden of COPD is likely to increase as a higher rate of the population ages. However, prevalence of the condition also varies with different populations. Low and medium income earning countries might experience higher risks to work exposures compared to high income earning or developed countries since the later have strict laws and regulations which govern pollution unlike less developed or developing countries. According to GOLD (2013) research, Guangzhou China indicated a 5.1% COPD prevalence among women and 16.7% in South Africa Cape Town while men were 8.5% in Iceland and in Cape Town 22.2%. COPD prevalence in well developed countries varies from that in less developed and developing countries. Poor people are more exposed to COPD since they lack good nutrition and well aerated environments. They are exposed to poor nutrition, high exposure to pollutants, crowding and high rates of smoking. After a COPD condition and respiratory infections have been detected, limited and poor access to medical or health care worsens respiratory situations leading to extreme COPD conditions or death. COPD is likely to prevail among individuals with infected respiratory systems unlike among those with respiratory systems that function well. According to Milken institute (2007) report, America has recorded a high rate of pulmonary disease cases in about the last two decades. Although the United States in well known worldwide among countries with well-structured medical frameworks, pulmonary and other chronic diseases is posing a threat to the general population and development. Survey data by the federal government indicated a two hundred and seventy seven billion US dollars budget for treating seven chronic diseases, pulmonary disease taking a lead in the list. However, institutionalized populations were not included in the survey, meaning that the government incurred eve more. The public health significance Although COPD has caused more harm to the society in its economic development and socially, increased threat to the population has also led to enhanced sensitization. The Australian government department of health and aging has dedicated more research on COPD together with other organizations and departments. According to a report from Australian Health ministers’ conference (2005), there is need for the public to be trained on contributing factors of COPD, and its management so as to reduce health issues. Stakeholders in global research on COPD include governments, bodies of the United Nations, non-governmental organizations and privately owned sectors. This also enhances international collaboration in medical researches that could otherwise been hindered by financial constraints in individual countries. Studies and initiatives for dealing with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is significant to public health. Sensitization equips both medics and patients with ways of preventing and treating such conditions. Governments also have a chance to set strategies that will minimize if not eradicate The global initiative for chronic obstructive lung disease was founded with the main purpose to help people worldwide in diagnosis of COPD, management of the condition and sensitize populations through training on prevention measures of COPD. (2013) Studying COPD condition has also led to the study of other chronic medical conditions such as comorbid disease, heart conditions, cardiovascular disease and Kidney conditions. Medics are also improving their skills in dealing with patients of COPD involving both nursing standards and clinical reasoning. According to Odell (2009), the initial step in detecting deterioration in patients and implementing effective management and care is effective observation of the patient.Nursing care can reduce mortality rates of patients through assessment and care. Respiratory assessment is vital tool when it comes to managing patients.The nursing body in Australia is governed by a number of standards defined by the Australian Nursing and midwifery Council. The nursing and midwifery regulatory authorities (NMRAs) also provides national standards that guide nursing practitioners, enrolled nurses and midwives in observing ethics and their professional conduct codes (ANMC, 2006, p.1). Doctors no longer carry out all monitoring activities for patients such as monitoring blood pressure, urinalysis or recording temperature. According to Wheeldon (2005, p.571), such activities have evolved and are now included among the Nurses’ vital roles. Physical assessment of patients is one of the historical doctor’s roles that are being taken over by nurses. Physical assessment is also applicable in monitoring respiratory deterioration in patients so as to detect any symptoms of pre-arrest; however, this must be backed up by adequate training and legal requirements. Kirkpatrick (2008, p.486) states that, clinical practice also requires nurses to employ Evidence based practice in nursing services such that evidence is first identified before implementation of any practice so as to improve clinical procedures. Broad determinants of COPD The determinants of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease include smoking which is the most contributing factor. Smoking hinders respiratory system from functioning well. It destroys tissues and harm air circulatory organs. Although not all people that smoke end up having COPD, smoking destroys respiratory systems and cause breathing conditions. Smoke affects fetal development for parents who smoke and exposing a woman who is pregnant to tobacco smoke. Exposure to the smoke during birth, historical cases of tuberculosis and asthma in the family can also determine respiratory health conditions of the baby (British Colombia, 2008). Another determinant is lack or inadequate education. Especially in developing and less developed countries, people live in ignorance and lack of knowledge which exposes them to conditions of COPD. Low body mass index (BMI) can lead to COPD condition during birth as a result of blockage in the respiratory organs. Very low body weight and body mass index is likely to cause difficulty in breathing and affect a child’s respiratory system development therefore cause COPD early in life. Individual risk factors for COPD Cigarette smoking is the most globally identified risk factor of a Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. However, individual risk factors affect different populations differently since prevalence of the condition varies with populations. Tobacco smoking occurs mostly in most developed countries with higher incomes like 73% and above. Excessive smoking affects the respiratory system by injuring tissues of the system thus affecting movement of air and breathing of an individual. Tobacco smoking during pregnancy also affects the growth and development of lungs of the Fetus and cause diseases in the lungs. The child is likely to develop COPD when it grows or at a tender age. Although marijuana is usually associated with symptoms of respiratory problems, it is not yet proven to cause COPD. (Mannino & Buist, 2007). Genetic factors can also be listed among risk factors that expose an individual to COPD. Low concentration of the serine Protease antitrypsin enzyme is one of the genetic factors that lead to COPD. A patient who smokes and is subject to other exposures is at a higher risk of conducting Panlobular Emphysema. Children whose parents experienced low lung functioning are likely to have COPD unlike their peers whose parents dint have. Genes that are likely to cause COPD include genes coding the transformation growth factor, microsomal epoxide hydrolase and tumor necrosis factor. There are however some inconsistencies regarding these genes (Mannino and Buist, 2007). Exposure to indoor and outdoor air pollution is also an identified risk to COPD conditions. Outdoor pollutants are less effective since there is a clean air circulation unlike indoor pollution where an individual is confined in an enclosed area that air circulation might not be appropriate.Therefore, the risk for indoor pollutants is higher than outdoor pollutants. High income countries are likely to experience more cases of pollution than countries with low and middle incomes. However, World Human organization indicates that low and middle income earning countries face a 2% of COPD conditions which is higher than the 1% experienced by high income earning countries. Other respiratory infections like the cardiopulmonary conditions speed up the development of COPD in patients. Air pollution increase chances of such infections and enhance COPD (Great Britain, 2007). Occupational hazards such as dusts vapor and fumes highly contribute to COPD conditions since they affect respiratory systems. Many occupations expose workers to fumes, chemicals and vapors which are likely to harm respiratory organs. The United States of America indicate 19.2% cases of COPD as a result of occupational exposures including both smokers and non-smokers (Hanania&Sharafkhaneh, 2011). Infections such as Asthma are likely to speed up COPD infections. Persons with such infections are at a higher risk for conduction COPD compared to those who are free from the condition. Higher responsiveness of the bronchus is a symptom for asthma and also leads to progression of COPD. Social and economic factors such as poor population contribute to high risk of COPD conditions. This majorly occurs among the poor populations who have limited space unlike those who are wealthy. Poor population affects air circulation which is usually not appropriate in case of limited space or squeezed environments (Institute of Medicine US, 2011). Conclusion Chronic Obstruction Pulmonary Disease is preventable and treatable but not fully reversible like other conditions like asthma. It leads to deterioration of the patient’s respiratory system and at times might result to death is not attended to. COPD prevails most in different populations in terms of age than others and varies with life style, income, exposures and health conditions other than the COPD condition. Individuals expose themselves to risks of COPD while others acquire the condition from parents. Nursing monitoring and assessment saves patients’ any further deterioration that can lead to death or severe illness. A patient indicating signs of breathlessness, tiredness, weight loss and even coughing must be well examined for COPD. Nurses’ assessment and examination skills while caring for patients play major roles in optimizing patient’s outcomes. However, there must be application of clinical skills and knowledge to this. References Australian Nursing Midwifery Council (ANMC). (2006). Nursing competency standards for the registered nurse. ANMC Benady, S. (2010).Human and economic burden of COPD: A leading cause of hospital admission in Canada. Canadian Thoracic society British Colombia. (2008). Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease service framework for British Colombia.British Colombian Ministry of health. Hanania, N. A., &Sharafkhaneh, A. (2011). COPD: A guide to diagnosis and clinical management. New York: Humana Press. Rabe, K. F., Wedzicha, J. A., Wouters, E. F. M., &Welte, T. (2013). COPD and comorbidity. Sheffield, UK: European Respiratory Society. Institute of Medicine (U.S.). (2011). A nationwide framework for surveillance of cardiovascular and chronic lung diseases. Washington, D.C: National Academies Press. Great Britain. (2007). Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)--chronic bronchitis and emphysema: Report by the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council in accordance with Section 171 of the Social Security Administration Act 1992 reviewing the prescription of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)--chronic bronchitis and emphysema. London: Stationery Office. Barnes, P. J. (2009). Asthma and COPD: Basic mechanisms and clinical management. Amsterdam: Academic. Wheeldon, A. (2005). Exploring nursing roles: using physical assessment in the respiratory unit Anthony. British journal of Nursing, Vol 14, No 10. Efraimsson, E. O., Hillervik, C. and Ehrenberg, A. (2008).Effects of COPD self-care management education at a nurse-led primary health care clinic. Department of Health and Social Sciences, 22; p.178–185. Kirkpatrick, P., Wilson, E. and Wimpenny, P. (2008).Research to support evidence-based practice in COPD community nursing. British Journal of Community Nursing, Vol 17, No 10. GOLD. (2013). Global strategy for the diagnosis, management and prevention of Chronic obstructive Pulmonary disease. GOLD Mannino, D. M and Buist, A. S. (2007).Global burden of COPD: risk factors, prevalence, and future trends. Lancet 2007;370:765–773. Milken Institute. (2007). AnUnheAlthyAmericA: The Economic Burden of Chronic Disease Charting a New Course to Save Lives and Increase Productivity and Economic Growth.Milken Institute. Hawkes, C., Gould, C. L. and Hofman, K. J. (2004).The Global Burden of Chronic Diseases Overcoming Impediments to Prevention and Control.American medical association. Janssens, W and Miravitlles, M. (2012).Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary disease. Lancet. Read More