Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Essay

IntroductionChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a lung ailment that is characterized by a persistent blockage of air flow from the lungs ( World health Organisation (WHO) website, nd). This report will examine the causes, symptoms and treatment of COPD. It will discuss current statistics on COPD and rough of the current treatments available. Multiple sources were used including websites, leaflets and government documents.Over 440,000 people in Ireland argon thought to befuddle COPD ( Living with COPD website, nd). By 2020, it is predicted to be the third leading cause of destruction worldwide (Living with COPD website, 2013). A late(a) COPD audit in Europe discovered that 50% of sufferers will die or be readmitted to infirmary within a 3 month period (Living with COPD website, 2013). Approximately 1400 people die every course of instruction from the pattern (Oireachtas website, 2013). Ireland has one of the highest incidents of death in Europe from COPD (Living wit h COPD website, 2013). COPD is an irreversible lung disease which causes permanent lung damage. In COPD, the airflow to the lungs become narrower and blocked and suspire becomes difficult (COPD Support website, nd). COPD is an umbrella term for Chronic Bronchitis and Emphysema (Living with COPD website, nd).CausesThe integrity biggest cause of COPD is smoking. 80-90% of people with the condition shake off COPD due to smoking. (COPD Support website, 2009). Other causes are air pollution, painting to fumes or dust particles at work, passive smoking, recurring respiratory infections in early life story and a rare genetic disorder called Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute website, nd).Diagnosis and SymptomsA breathing test called Spirometry is used to diagnose COPD (COPD FOUNDATIONWebsite, nd). The test measures how well a person breathes. In Ireland, portal to Spirometry Tests is not available nationwide and tests must be carried out in hospi tal (Oireachtas website, 2013). Early diagnosis can greatly slow down the condition (National Health Service website, 2012).Often COPD is diagnosed after a person has anexacerbation of the condition (American Thoracic website, nd).An exacerbation of COPD means thesymptoms have become more arrant(a). It is principally caused by an infection in the lungs and hospitalisation is required which leads to diagnosis of the condition ( American Thoracic website, nd).Symptoms of COPD admit wheezing, persistent cough with mucus that will not go away, breathlessness completing every daylightlight tasks and difficultness taking deep breaths (American Lung Association website, nd). Symptoms typically start to emerge from the age of 40 years forrad (Living with Copd website, 2013). Long term complications associated with COPD include, weight loss and swallowing issues known as Dysphagia (Queensland Health and The Australian Lung Foundation, 2012). Swallowing issues can farm as the forbear ing can often breathe when eating, which causes food to enter the lungs. This can lead to reflux, upset stomach problems, difficulty in finishing meals and lung infections (Queensland Health and The Australian Lung Foundation, 2012).StagesThere are 4 stages of COPD Mild, Moderate , crude(a) and Very Severe (End Stage) (COPD world(prenominal) website, nd).Mild The person whitethorn have slight breathlessness and may or may not have a cough but is unaware they have COPD (COPD International website, nd).Moderate Breathlessness carrying out day to day tasks, may or may not have shop at cough with mucus. At this stage the condition is normally diagnosedas symptoms become more severe (COPD International website, nd).Severe COPD greatly affects the quality of life, physical activity is limited, exacerbations of COPD are much more frequent (COPD International website, nd).Very Severe/End Stage At this stage oxygen is required continuously, some(prenominal) exertion at all is difficult. Chronic Respiratory Failure and/or Heart Failure and death occurs (Kenny,T 2011).This knowledge would enable a Healthcare Support Worker to identify the early signs of the condition, have an change magnitude awareness of a patient with a persistent cough, frequent colds or chest infections and encourage the patient to seek medical help for a diagnosis.TreatmentsStopping smoking is critical in treating COPD, as boastful up smoking greatly prevents the condition worsening. Inhalers are generally used to control and relieve symptoms of COPD. Short-Acting Inhalers are used to alleviate breathlessness, Long-Acting Inhalers which work over 12 hours to relieve symptoms, and Steroid Inhalers excessively hang breathing (British Lung Foundation website, nd). Oxygen Therapy is used in severe COPD. Patients may require oxygen for day to day tasks, when sleeping or in some cases, 24 hours a day. Oxygen is available in tanks, liquid form or oxygen concentrators (COPD Support website, nd).Pul monary Rehabilitation Programmes also plays a rattling role in the treatment of COPD (Oireachtas website, 2013). In Ireland, programmes are normally ran over 20 sessions, with patients attending two to three times a week. Group numbers are limited to a maximum of 15 people. The programme consists of Exercise, Nutrition to increase fitness levels and Education to increase the patients awareness of the condition (Health Service executive director website, 2013). COPD patients have been shown to gain hugely from Pulmonary Rehabilitation Programmes, improving quality of life, reducing hospital admissions and change magnitude survival chances (Oireachtas website, 2013).A person with COPD uses 10 times the energy to breathe than a person without the condition. It is pregnant to replace lost calories, maintain weight and also to protect the immune system against colds and flus (American Lung website, nd). Foods high in both energy, sugar and deep such as fried foods, full fat dairy p roducts and readymade meals are recommended to encourage weight gain. However it is important that a healthy diet is alsomaintained (COPD Education website, nd). Supplement drinks are often recommended to increase calorie intake between meals. If swallowing issues occur, loose foods such as soups and stews are recommended and patients are encouraged to eat several smaller meals throughout the day (COPD Education website, nd). With this knowledge a HealthCare Worker would ensure that meals are small but alimentary at regular intervals . A HealthCare Support Worker would also consider how meals are on the watch as softer, more manageable foods may be required.ConclusionThis report has examined the causes, symptoms and treatments of COPD. This report discussed current statistics regarding the condition and some of the treatments available. From researching this report it is clear that more public awareness of COPD in Ireland is essential to highlight the marry between COPD and smok ing.COPD needs to feature strongly in Anti-smoking campaigns to promote this awareness, which would enable early diagnosis and treatment.