Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease - Case Study Example

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Introduction Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a continuous disease that makes it difficult for an individual to breathe. COPD can cause coughing that creates huge volumes of mucus, chest tightness, shortness of breath, wheezing and other signs. Cigarette smoking is the primary cause of COPD. Most individuals who suffer from COPD smoke or used to smoke substances. Continued exposure to lung irritants such as chemical fumes, dust or air pollution also may contribute to COPD (Ellen & Kirkhorn, 2015). This essay discusses the effects and treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. The chances of having COPD grow the more one smokes and the longer one has been smoking. This is because smoking inflames and irritates the lungs, which consequences in damaging. Over several years, the irritation steers to long-lasting variations in the lung. The partitions of the air-passage thicken and more secretion is generated. Injury to the subtle walls of the alveoli in the lungs results to emphysema and causes the lungs to lose their regular elasticity. The minor alveoli become damaged and contracted (Ellen & Kirkhorn, 2015). These variations results in the symptoms of coughing, breathing difficulty and phlegm related to COPD. Clinical findings A patient named R.S. comprised of pathological variations in four different partitions of the lungs (pulmonary vasculature, lung parenchyma, peripheral airways and central airways), which are patchily available in R.S. with the COPD. Tobacco smoking is the main risk factor for R.S. patient with COPD, however, other inhaled toxic particles and gases may contribute. Therefore, treating tobacco use and dependence should be regarded as a primary and a specific intervention for R.S. condition. His smoking should be evaluated routinely whenever the patient avails himself to a healthcare facility and should be provided with the best opportunity to treat his condition. This results in an inflammatory reaction in the lungs, which is blown up in this particular patient who is a smoker and drives to the distinguishing pathological destruction of the lungs of the patient (Ellen & Kirkhorn, 2015). Furthermore to lung inflammation, antiproteinases and an imbalance of proteinases in the lungs and oxidative stress are also essential in the pathogenesis of the patient. The variant pathogenic mechanisms generate the pathological variation which, subsequently, develop the following physiological defects in R.S patient: cilliary dysfunction and mucous hypersecretion; hyperinflation and airflow limitation; gas exchange difficulties; systemic effects and pulmonary hypertension. Different diagnoses tactics were used to test R.S. Its existence was suspected after a focused clinical findings and then affirm physiologically with easy spirometry. Chest radiography aids in discrepancy diagnosis and other clinical trials may be employed to better decide the phenotype and physiological physiognomies of patients’ parents. Family background of R.S. with COPD related conditions or other respiratory diseases such as, smoking, exposure history; any unexplained weight loss, co-morbidities; occupational and environmental exposures (Ellen & Kirkhorn, 2015). Differences in OCPD and Emphysematous The variance between chronic bronchitis as observed from R.S. and emphysema can be established in how every disease impacts the lungs. Merely because there is no cure for chronic bronchitis or emphysema doesn’t interpret that there is no remedy available to assist treat the signs of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Numerous therapies comprise of medications, the use of steroids and oxygen support. It is, however, advisable to seek advice from a doctor before trying any treatment or prescription (Currie, 2009). In emphysema condition, the lung injury is profound in the lungs, where it damages the tiny alveoli at the end of the bigger air-passage. These are the fragments of the lungs, which permit oxygen to flow from the alveoli into the bloodstream that convey the carbon dioxide from the bloodstream to the alveoli. This flow assists the whole body to work well and is essential in breathing (Currie, 2009). Emphysema is the reverse of chronic bronchitis. This condition causes an individual’s lung to be very irritated. Chronic bronchitis is a type of COPD, which frequently irritate the passageways in the lungs and windpipe. This condition is the cause of crucial damage or infection that can be continuous or short-term. If chronic bronchitis is existent, the body’s normal response is to clear the airways. This eventually causes a serious cough among individuals with COPD (Currie, 2009). An individual who has been diagnosed with emphysema, the alveoli have become elastic and floppy. Frequently, this is because of chronic irritation from the pollutants found in cigarette smoke. The saggy alveoli do not exchange gases (carbon dioxide and oxygen) as efficient as they should and they also incline to trap air. In its place numerous tiny alveoli are bigger, fewer and less proficient. Gradually, this makes it difficult to breathe with emphysema and pulmonary function check results fails (Currie, 2009). Treatment Administering theophyllines or Xanthines (such as Uniphyl, or Theodur) to R.S. is a gradual-onset bronchodilator medication which treats COPD. Theophyllines or Xanthines do not function in a similar manner as when inhaled bronchodilators. Xanthines or theophyllines can have severe drug interactions and side effects. For these insights, theophylline/xanthine is not usually used. Though, when they are used, it’s usually in combination with other bronchodilators such as Beta 2 agonists (Anne, 2014). Theophyllines / xanthines can interact with other medicines and food. It is important to confirm from a pharmacist and a doctor who knows all other prescription one is consuming. Since one is taking these medications, the doctor will give you constant blood tests to display how much prescription should be in the body. However, interacting long-acting Beta 2-agonists and theophylline to the patient results to generate a better spirometric change than administering a single prescription alone (Anne, 2014). Tiotropium recovers the patient’s health condition and decreases patients hospitalisations and exacerbations as opposed with regular ipratropium and placebo. Beta 2-agonists are a sort of bronchodilator medications. This means that they enlarge (dilate) and relax the patients air-passage in the lungs, making breathing relaxed. Research proves that inhaled beta2-agonists are active in treating signs of COPD and enhancing the lung utility as illustrated by the tests. They also reduce the number of COPD exacerbations (Anne, 2014). Effect of COPD on Cardiovascular Function The scale of cardiovascular disease experienced by R.S. comprises of pulmonary hypertension (PH), right ventricular dysfunction, arrhythmias and coronary artery disease (CAD). The pulmonary vascular syndrome is related to R.S. escalations of the disease and deteriorates existence. As a consequence of R.S. diagnosed with COPD also convey an escalated jeopardy of death because of myocardial infarction, arrhythmia or congestive heart failure as opposed to other individual without this condition. The Lung Health Study illustrated that a considerable amount of mortality in R.S. patient with COPD condition was the consequence of cardiovascular difficulties. Current enormous epidemiologic research exposed escalated cardiovascular death, especially in individuals younger than 65 years with COPD related complications. Since cardiac irregularities obviously contribute to the general disease related to COPD, a comprehension of their function and prospective for treatment is important to patients diagnosed with this kind of complication (Anne, 2014). References Anne, L. (2014). Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN Examination (6th ed.). Saunders. Currie, G. (2009). COPD. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Ellen, L., & Kirkhorn, C. (2015). Pathophysiology (5th ed.). Read More