Constructive Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Research

These include Emphysema, which involves long time damage to the lungs and chronic bronchitis which is coughing for a long time with thick mucus (L. & Y. It is estimated that around one million people are living with the disease. This makes it the second disease to affect the most people on the side of heart diseases in the United Kingdom. Some of the predisposing factors of the disease include long-term exposure to irritating gasses or foreign matter. Presenting Signs and symptoms of COPD Onset/ timing The onset of COPD is gradual. However, the signs are not notable until damage to the lungs is done. This usually takes a long time depending on the activities and factors that are causing the disease.

Characteristics/ symptoms It is hard to note the disease by just looking at a person who is affected by the disease. This is because when a person is affected by this disease, the signs start manifesting themselves when there has been notable damage to the lungs (“American Lung Association”). This means that there might be some blue coloring on the fingernails and lips. Some people might confuse this sign with that of anemia if not properly diagnosed. Wheezing and chest tightness is another symptom. Finally, these people may start producing mucus that might vary in color from a clear mucus to a yellow then green one (Qaseem et al. Due to the accumulation of this mucus in the lungs, a person suffering from this disease must clear their throats first thing in the morning after they wake up.

To help reduce the chances of the infection, it is always good to quit or minimize the rate at which a person smokes in a day. Around seventy-five percent of people living with this condition are smokers, or at one time they were smokers. Being a smoker, one might be an active smoker or a passive smoker. Another risk factor for the disease is air pollution (Blackstock, & Webster, 2006). This might be indoor or outside a room. This disease is believed to be causing too many deaths to Americans. It is ranked as the fourth leading killing disease (“American Lung Association”). The disease could also affect people with less than forty years old, only if they have a predisposing disease and condition like AATD.

Diagnosis COPD is tested by various tests or ways. It can be based on oral questions by the doctor to look at the disease chances of occurring. Complications include respiratory infections, which include cold, flu and pneumonia. Another complication is heart problems. Heart problems increase with COPD prevalence (“American Lung Association”). The reasons for this are not yet known. Another complication is lung cancer. However, this cannot be said to be COPD. A CT scan of the respiratory show thickening of the walls of the bronchioles and dilation (Martinez Ortiz & Morer, 2012). Treatment According to “American Lung Association,” there are a variety of medications that can be used to treat the disease. However, there is no single medication that is best for everybody (“American Lung Association”).