Level 2 Health and Social Care Unit 4

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is one of the most common lung diseases. There are two main forms of COPD: Chronic bronchitis, which involves having a long term cough with mucus. Emphysema which involves the destruction of the lungs over the period of time.

The average person is over fourty years old when diagnosed with COPD.

More than twelve million people are diagnosed with COPD; but many more have the disease and do not know it.

(Lifescript healthy living for women, COPD what you need to know)

When we breathe in, our lungs provide us with oxygen. People suffering with this disease will have permanently damaged lungs; airways will be constantly narrowed, this making it difficult to breathe. People with COPD will either have a chronic inflammation in the bronchi of their lungs (chronic bronchitis), or the air sacs in the lungs are damaged (emphysema). Many often suffer from both at the same time.

If the bronchi are inflamed, they will then be swollen meaning that less air can pass through them.

If the small air sacs in the lungs become damaged, then the blood flowing through the lungs can no longer absorb as much oxygen as needed; or get rid of the waste product carbon dioxide.

Typical signs of COPD:

•The problems/disease first started in adulthood.

•Breathing difficulties are brought on by physical exercise, later on when the disease has deteriorated they will persist whilst resting.

•The symptoms increase slowly and gradually.

•The individual suffering may smoke, smoked previously or been a passive smoker over a long period of time.

•The individual may or previously may have come into contact with harmful dust or gasses at work.

Typical signs of asthma:

•The disease starts in childhood or adolescence; however it is possible for asthma to start at any age.

•Breathlessness occurs at different periods, particularly at night or early in the morning. The degree of breathlessness can also vary from day to day....