COPD is a chronic, common, preventable and treatable disease characterized by non-microbial inflammation in the airways, resulting in narrowing of the airways and airflow restriction, usually resulting from long years of smoking or exposure to harmful gases.
The disease is more common in smokers and at older ages. While it is more common in men in developing countries, it is seen equally in both genders in developed countries. Many risk factors play a role in the development of COPD. The most important and most common risk factor is chronic smoking. Passive smokers as well as active smokers are at serious risk of COPD. Electronic cigarettes, which have become widespread recently, are similar to cigarettes in terms of toxic content. Smoking, especially during pregnancy, affects the baby's lung development in the womb and increases the risk of developing COPD in later ages. Exposure to organic and inorganic dust, chemical agents and vapors due to occupation also increases the risk of COPD. Wood, dung, plant roots and biomass fuels burned on open fires and in poorly functioning stoves and biomass fuels burned for different purposes can also increase indoor air pollution and cause the development of COPD. Outdoor air pollution is also among the effective factors in the development of COPD, although not as much as smoking. It is known that asthma patients are also at serious risk for the development of COPD. Adult smokers with chronic bronchitis also have a higher risk of developing COPD. The best known genetic factor is alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. Age is now considered a risk factor for the development of COPD. In addition to the processes occurring during pregnancy and birth, exposures to some specific substances during childhood and adolescence also pose a risk for the development of COPD. Low birth weight and severe infections in early childhood negatively affect lung development, increasing the risk of developing COPD in the future. Nutrition deficient in vitamins A, C and E, and living at a low socio-economic level are also effective factors in the development of COPD.
The most common symptoms in COPD are chronic and progressive shortness of breath, cough and sputum. Patients experience difficulty breathing, chest People experience serious difficulties due to shortness of breath, which they describe as a feeling of heaviness, air hunger, or feeling out of breath. In people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, the cough may be intermittent at first, but it becomes continuous over time. Cough may be with or without phlegm. Phlegm may increase from time to time and decrease from time to time. Regardless of its duration, darkening of the color of the sputum and an increase in its amount may be indicators of infection in the patient. Wheezing and a feeling of tightness in the chest may also be among the complaints of COPD patients. The definitive diagnosis of COPD is made by a respiratory function test, popularly known as the blow test. A FEV1/FVC ratio below 70% in the pulmonary function test is sufficient for the diagnosis of COPD. Staging of COPD is done based on surveys measuring the patient's shortness of breath and complaints, the number of attacks in a year, and the total number of hospitalizations in a year. In addition to diagnosis, lung x-ray, tomography, blood tests showing oxygen level and exercise tests can also be used.
The basis of treatment in COPD is to prevent the development or progression of the disease. The things to do for this are to quit smoking, reduce indoor and outdoor air pollution, reduce occupational exposures, and administer flu and pneumonia vaccinations to prevent infections.
The purpose of drug treatment in COPD is; The aim is to improve the patient's quality of life by reducing their complaints as much as possible, and to improve their general health status by preventing disease progression and attacks. Medicines never have a therapeutic effect by completely eradicating the disease. Treatment alternatives include respiratory and breath-opening medications, as well as some special treatments containing cortisone, expectorants and antibiotics. It is decided which type of medications should be used depending on the stage of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and the infection status.
Apart from drug treatment in COPD, physical therapy programs, including muscle exercises and breathing exercises, are used continuously in advanced stages to increase physical activity. oxygen therapy and mechanical ventilation therapy, and interventional bronchoscopy and surgical treatment in selected cases. i options are used.
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