Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is airflow obstruction due to chronic bronchitis or emphysema. The condition is usually progressive (it gets worse over time) and irreversible. Over 16 million Americans have COPD. It is the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S. Some asthmatics may eventually develop COPD.

Chronic bronchitis is defined as a chronic, productive cough for 3 months in 2 consecutive years. The cough is caused by chronic inflammation of the airways near the bronchial tree. This inflammation leads to swelling of tissues and narrowing of the airway and the secretion of excessive mucus.

Emphysema is a permanent enlargement of the alveoli (airspaces) at the end of the bronchioles and includes destruction of the walls of the alveoli. The tissues in the lungs lose their elasticity allowing the alveoli to hyper-inflate, which inhibits proper gas exchange and creates dead air space. Patients are almost always long-term smokers.

Patients often suffer from emphysema and chronic bronchitis and sometimes asthma. The disease causes changes in cells which are permanent. Mucus production increases and cilia are unable to move it so plugging is common. Respiratory infections are common. Breathing becomes labored requiring greater involvement of the diaphragm and ancillary breathing muscles, which leads to muscle fatigue and decreased efficiency. This places a greater strain on the heart.

The American Thoracic Society has published standards of care for COPD. SMOKING CESSATION IS THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT STEP! Progression of permanent damage is slowed to about that of nonsmokers after 6 months of not smoking but deterioration is rapid in those who refuse to quit. Patient education, exercise, and healthy lifestyle are obvious preventative measures. Medication therapy is similar to that for asthma but inhaled corticosteroids are of limited value in COPD. Inhaled bronchodilators (albuterol) and anticholinergics (ipratroprium) are agents of choice. Bronchodilators relax bronchial muscle and ipratroprium reduces the volume of sputum without thickening secretions. Theophylline, an older oral medication, has recently been found to be helpful in improving respiratory muscle function and it stimulates the respiratory center of the brain. It has helped improve the activity levels of patients with COPD.

TAOS PHARMACY CAN HELP YOU STOP SMOKING. INDIVIDUALIZED SESSIONS DESIGNED TO HELP YOU BREAK BOTH THE CHEMICAL ADDICTION TO NICOTINE AND THE BEHAVIORAL HABIT OF SMOKING CAN HELP YOU SUCCEED. LIVE LONGER AND HEALTHIER, STOP SMOKING!

Reference: Power Graphics, July, 2001, vol. 5, no. 1.

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