Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease( COPD) - Causes, symptoms and treatment. MF.

The diagnosis "chronic obstructive pulmonary disease( COPD)" appeared in the field of medicine relatively recently( since the 1990s), which was the result of close contacts with the European medical school. But there are so many such patients. The wide prevalence of such a risk factor of the disease, as smoking, has led to the fact that 5 to 10 people out of a hundred( and according to some data, more) suffer from this pathology. The proposed article highlights modern principles of diagnosis and treatment of the disease, as well as methods for its prevention.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease( abbreviated COPD) is a disease characterized by irreversible or partially reversible, progressive obstruction( impaired patency) of the bronchi. Pathology is the result of an inflammatory reaction that develops after contact with aggressive substances( gases, aerosols, particles, etc.).

Thus, the main features of the disease are identified in the definition:

1) chronic and, unfortunately, progressive inflammation. This necessitates long-term, and often lifelong therapy. With this, many patients who are hoping for a monthly course of treatment and all can not put up with it.

2) development of bronchial obstruction and as a consequence of dyspnoea with physical exertion.
3) the cause of the disease is a prolonged exposure to corrosive gases and particles. And while the cause is not getting rid of - the effect of therapy will be minimal.
The diagnosis of COPD sometimes hides under the terms chronic smoker bronchitis( although this name does not officially exist) or chronic obstructive bronchitis.

Cause COPD

Mild in COPD and normal

COPD is considered as a disease of the second half of life. The usual age of patients is over 40 years. Men are sick more often. The disease is more common in socially-advantaged countries, where a large percentage of the smoking population.

Major risk factors for COPD: smoking and / or exposure to industrial dust. The disease develops, as a rule, as a result of prolonged, over many years, the effects of the above factors. The disease develops the faster, the higher the load on the lungs.

There are studies indicating a genetic predisposition to the disease.
In addition, the development of the disease can contribute to inadequate nutrition, frequent infections of the upper respiratory tract.

As a result of these effects, chronic inflammation of the bronchial wall develops, which in turn leads to a narrowing of their lumen. Violation of the patency of the bronchial tree creates favorable conditions for the reproduction of the infection, which also aggravates the course of the disease.
Chronic hypoxia( oxygen starvation) of the body develops, which leads to disruption in the functioning of all organs and systems. The heart suffers first( the so-called pulmonary heart develops).These violations further disrupt the work of the respiratory system. A peculiar vicious circle develops.