Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses how obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States and worldwide even though it is not a contagious disease and how there is no know cure for COPD. It also looks at how COPD is a disease of the lungs caused by damage to the airways primarily due to cigarette smoking and how prolonged exposure to dust, chemicals and pollution also cause COPD. In addition, the paper describes the symptoms, causes, treatment, management and prevention of the disease. Furthermore, the paper emphasizes that if an individual smokes, the first and most critically important step in addressing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD is to quit smoking and to do so immediately.

Outline:
Introduction
COPD: Symptoms
Treatment of COPD
Goals of Treatment in COPD
COPD Medications
Components of the Pulmonary Rehab Program
Prevention of Progression of COPD
Management and Prevention of Problems
Summary and Conclusion

From the Paper:

"As stated in the previous section there are treatments for COPD and according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute "quitting smoking is the single most important thing" that the individual can do in order to reduce the risk of the development of 'chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and to slow the progression of the disease COPD. The goals of treatment for COPD are: (1) to relieve the symptoms with no to little side experience of side effects; (2) to slow the disease progression; (3) to improve the individual's tolerance for exercise; (4) prevention and treatment of complications or onset of problems occurring suddenly; and (5) to improve the individuals' health overall. (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute: Disease and Conditions Index, 2007) It is important to note that the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute relates that treatment of COPD is "different for each person" and that the individuals doctor might well refer the individual to a lung specialists or 'pulmonologist'. (2007) "

Sample of Sources Used:

• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (2003) Journal of the American Medical Association Vol. 290 No. 17 5 November 2003. Online available at: http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/290/17/2362
• COPD: Treating COPD (2006) NIH Senior Health 6 Jan 2006 national Institute on Aging. U.S. National Library of Medicine Online available at: http://nihseniorhealth.gove/copd/treatingcopd/02.html.
• How Can COPD Be Prevented from Progressing (2007) National Heart Lung and Blood Institute: Disease and Conditions Index. Online available at: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Copd_Prevention.html
• How is COPD Treated? (2007) National Heart Lung and Blood Institute: Diseases and Conditions Index. Online available at: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Copd/Copd_Treatments.html.
• What are the Signs and Symptoms of COPD (2007) National Heart Lung and Blood Institute: Diseases and Conditions Index. Online available at: What is COPD (2007) National Heart Lung and Blood Institute: Diseases and Conditions Index. Online available at: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dei/Diseases/Copd/Copd_WhatIs.html

More papers on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease:

• Research Paper # 103781 : "Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)"
• Research Paper # 111915 : "Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease"
• Analytical Essay # 130287 : "Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Lung Disease"

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