Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Clinical signs and symptoms

• Cough
• Sputum production
• Breathlessness on exertion
• Air hunger, gasping, breathlessness even at rest in later stages

Risk factors

• Cigarette smoking
• Respiratory infections
• Occupational exposure – coal mining, gold mining, dust etc
• Air pollution
• Genetic risk factors- Alpha 1 –antitrypsin deficiency

Complications

• Increased heart rate and respiratory rate
• Respiratory infections
• High blood pressure
• Heart disease
• Lung cancer

Tests and diagnosis

• Complete blood count
• Chest x-ray
• Pulmonary function test- spirometry
• Sputum examination
• CT chest

Preventive measures

• To quit smoking
• Avoid occupational exposure to chemical fumes and dust.
• Avoid strenuous exercises.
• Avoid cold weather (cold dry air).

Immediate medical intervention needed when there is

• Severe wheezing
• Confusion, sleepiness/drowsiness
• Cyanosis
• Increased heart rate and respiratory rate

Life style changes and home remedies

• Clear your airways by gentle coughing/ drinking plenty of water
• Breathe through nose instead of your mouth when you ate outside
• Eat healthy foods
• Proper breathing exercises

Treatment

• Oxygen therapy by face mask 5-6 lts
• Nebulization with bronchodilators and steroid
• Antibiotics- lll generation Cephalosporins, anti pseudomonal penicillin’s
• Bronchodilators- Salbutamol, Deriphylline, Aminophylline- IV route/ inhalation
• Steroids- by inhalation (Budesenoid) and IV injections (Hydrocortisone)
• Expectorants- Bromhexine, Guaiphenasin, Ambroxyl
• Steam inhalation or saline inhalation to liquefy sputum