 |
|
|
|
|
March 16th, 2011
10:30 AM ET
What should I expect after COPD diagnosis?Every weekday, a CNNHealth expert doctor answers a viewer question. On Wednesdays, it's Dr. Otis Brawley, chief medical officer at the American Cancer Society. Question asked by Pamela of Nashville, Tennessee: I just learned that I have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and emphysema. Can you tell me about it and what the prognosis is? I also have coronary artery disease and have had stents placed. Expert answer: Dear Pamela, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, is a disease that truly negatively affects quality of life. Patients with COPD are prone to asthma-like wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness and coughing that can occur in episodes caused by chromic inflammation. They're also prone to viral and bacterial infections. It is the fourth most common cause of death in the United States, killing an estimated 120,000 people each year. While COPD is most noted for episodes of shortness of breath and wheezing, the disease is typically slowly progressive and persistent. Medical treatment can be successful in relieving symptoms and reducing the severity of exacerbations. Treatment is with inhaled bronchodilators, steroids to reduce inflammation and other oral medications. Breathing problems? Check them with this test Early diagnosis and good treatment are important as they can reduce the number and severity of exacerbations and prolong survival. Some people can live with this condition for several decades. More than 80% of patients with COPD have a history of cigarette smoking. A few patients have it because of chemical inhalation exposure. Most are overweight or obese. Weight loss can also occur in severe COPD and is a sign of severe disease with a poor prognosis. At one time, we distinguished different types of COPD, emphysema and chronic bronchitis. All patients with COPD have an element of each, although one component will usually predominate in the individual patient. Chronic bronchitis is defined by a chronic cough that produces sputum. Emphysema is defined by enlargement and destruction of the airspaces in the lung. When the physician examines a patient with very severe COPD one finds decreased breath sounds, wheezes, crackles at the lungs, and distant heart sounds. The patient's diaphragm in limited in movement, meaning the patient cannot take in deep breaths. In extremely severe disease, the chest size is increased. Patients lean forward to use all the muscles of the chest and neck to bring air in. COPD can progress to cause heart failure, as the right side of the heart cannot pump blood into the damaged lungs. Could your job be hurting your lungs? Physicians use pulmonary function tests to assess the severity of COPD. These are tests to measure how fast it take a patient to fully exhale air, how much air he can exhale in one second, how much air he can inhale. X-ray and especially CT scans can also be used to assess damage to the lungs. The arterial blood gases are a series of blood tests to determine how much oxygen and carbon dioxide is in the blood. As the disease worsens oxygenation goes down and carbon dioxide levels rise. Blood gas abnormalities acutely worsen during COPD exacerbations and often worsen during exercise and sleep. Because most patients have a significant smoking history, most patients have many of the other illnesses associated with smoking, especially cardiovascular disease. These patients also have high risk for smoking related malignancies. Unfortunately, poor lung function often interferes with or prevents treatment of the other diseases.
soundoff (1,357 Responses)« Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27Leave a Reply to Clyde Gilstad
« Previous entryWhat you should know about radiation
|
  About this blog
Get a behind-the-scenes look at the latest stories from CNN Chief Medical Correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Senior Medical Correspondent Elizabeth Cohen and the CNN Medical Unit producers. They'll share news and views on health and medical trends - info that will help you take better care of yourself and the people you love.
 |
|
|
|
I for all time emailed this blog post page to all my associates, for the reason that if like to read it after that my links will too.|
http://www.geati.ifc-camboriu.edu.br/wiki/index.php/Android-Gingerbread-On-The-Sony-Ericsson-Arc-d
I do consider all the concepts you have offered to your post. They're very convincing and will certainly work. Still, the posts are very brief for newbies. Could you please lengthen them a little from next time? Thanks for the post.|
http://www.vibrantbuzz.com/article/1311303/web-design-and-seo-options
I do believe all the concepts you have offered in your post. They're very convincing and will certainly work. Still, the posts are too short for novices. Could you please extend them a little from next time? Thank you for the post.|
http://ge.tt/2wY3EtA3/v/0
I could not refrain from commenting. Perfectly written!|
https://intensedebate.com/people/lockleargle
My spouse and I absolutely love your blog and find nearly all of your post's to be exactly I'm looking for. Does one offer guest writers to write content available for you? I wouldn't mind publishing a post or elaborating on most of the subjects you write related to here. Again, awesome web site!|
http://bezvoprosa.ru/index.php?qa=user&qa_1=claytonmarcus5
Do you have a spam problem on this website; I also am a blogger, and I was wondering your situation; we have created some nice procedures and we are looking to swap solutions with other folks, be sure to shoot me an email if interested.|
https://booneforsyth66.bravejournal.net/post/2021/02/05/5-Tips-For-Excellent-Digestion
Very energetic blog, I loved that a lot. Will there be a part 2?|
http://nutshellurl.com/masseyriber7961
This is really interesting, You are a very skilled blogger. I've joined your feed and look forward to seeking more of your wonderful post. Also, I have shared your website in my social networks!|
http://www.associazionehombre.it/index.php?option=com_k2&view=itemlist&task=user&id=2269820
Pretty section of content. I just stumbled upon your blog and in accession capital to assert that I get actually enjoyed account your blog posts. Anyway I will be subscribing to your augment and even I achievement you access consistently quickly.|
https://www.hairtrader.com/author/willoughby17willoughby/
Thank you for every other informative blog. The place else may just I am getting that kind of info written in such an ideal way? I have a undertaking that I am simply now working on, and I've been on the look out for such info.|
http://sellwhole.com/index.php?page=user&action=pub_profile&id=154316
It's hard to come by educated people on this topic, but you sound like you know what you're talking about! Thanks|
http://gitlab.asap.um.maine.edu/kaas33head
Very nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I've really enjoyed surfing around your blog posts. In any case I'll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again very soon!|
https://www.pinterest.com/dickeylloyd148291/
I am truly happy to glance at this web site posts which carries tons of useful information, thanks for providing these kinds of data.|
http://truckcamvideos.com/index.php?qa=user&qa_1=horner20malone
For the reason that the admin of this web page is
working, no doubt very soon it will be renowned, due to its
quality contents.
Review my web page :: zipper wallet insert for small leather binder notebook
Hi there, You have done a great job. I'll definitely digg it and personally recommend to my friends. I'm confident they'll be benefited from this site.|
https://lessontoday.com/profile/finchmckee1/activity/507407/
Thanks for any other magnificent post. Where else may just anybody get that kind of information in such an ideal means of writing? I have a presentation subsequent week, and I'm on the search for such information.|
https://arizona.budtrader.com/author/mahoneycorbett5/
Have you ever considered writing an ebook or guest authoring on other websites? I have a blog based upon on the same subjects you discuss and would really like to have you share some stories/information. I know my visitors would enjoy your work. If you are even remotely interested, feel free to send me an e mail.|
http://bioimagingcore.be/q2a/index.php?qa=user&qa_1=cannonlundsgaard7
Hello would you mind sharing which blog platform you're working with? I'm going to start my own blog soon but I'm having a difficult time making a decision between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal. The reason I ask is because your design and style seems different then most blogs and I'm looking for something completely unique. P.S Sorry for being off-topic but I had to ask!|
http://danlabecki.ca/bodylit1/index.php?option=com_k2&view=itemlist&task=user&id=322194
This is a topic that is near to my heart... Best wishes! Where are your contact details though?|
http://www.filedropper.com/searchengineoptimizationseobasics5stepstoanelevatedrankingmeatg
Excellent post. I used to be checking continuously this blog and I am impressed! Extremely useful info specially the remaining section 🙂 I take care of such information much. I was seeking this particular information for a long time. Thank you and good luck. |
http://sc.devb.gov.hk/TuniS/bablupc.com/parallels-desktop-crack-activation-key/
k3mb0 fqkj3 v77c
Interesting blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it from somewhere? A theme like yours with a few simple adjustements would really make my blog stand out. Please let me know where you got your design. Bless you|
http://search.wi.gov/cpp/help/urlstatusgo.html?url=https://explorecrack.com/engin-vst-2-1-0-186-crack-mac-with-activation-key-free-download-latest/
Howdy! I could have sworn I've been to your blog before but after browsing through a few of the articles I realized it's new to me. Anyways, I'm certainly pleased I stumbled upon it and I'll be book-marking it and checking back regularly!|
https://doodleordie.com/profile/harrisonrowla
Howdy I am so delighted I found your weblog, I really found you by mistake, while I was browsing on Digg for something else, Anyhow I am here now and would just like to say thanks a lot for a marvelous post and a all round entertaining blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to read through it all at the minute but I have book-marked it and also included your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read a lot more, Please do keep up the excellent work.|
http://www.drugoffice.gov.hk/gb/unigb/prolicensekey.co/aiseesoft-fonelab-crack/
Hi there! I know this is kinda off topic but I'd figured I'd ask. Would you be interested in trading links or maybe guest authoring a blog post or vice-versa? My blog covers a lot of the same topics as yours and I feel we could greatly benefit from each other. If you're interested feel free to shoot me an email. I look forward to hearing from you! Superb blog by the way!|
http://www.chimisal.it/index.php?option=com_k2&view=itemlist&task=user&id=1763062
It's actually a great and helpful bit of info. I am happy that you
shared this useful info with us. Please stay us informed
this way. Thanks a lot for sharing.
Also visit my web site: ElinoreTFaas