COPD

7. Influenza

Nov 13, 2018 · · COPD
Influenza—commonly called the flu—is a viral infection of the respiratory system. It affects the lungs, as well as the whole body. Most people who get the flu come down with it during “flu season,” which runs from November to March. Children are more susceptible to getting the flu, and often … Read More

6. Bronchiectasis

Nov 13, 2018 · · COPD
Bronchiectasis is a chronic obstructive airway disease in which the bronchi become damaged and easily collapse. Bronchi walls contain elastic and muscle fibers, which allow the bronchial tubes to expand and contract while maintaining their shape. In people with bronchiectasis, the elastic and muscular components in the walls of medium-sized … Read More

5. Asthma

Nov 12, 2018 · · COPD
Asthma is a chronic disease that often starts in childhood but can occur for the first time in adulthood, even later in life. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 18.4 million adults and 6.2 million children in the United States have asthma. Asthma causes inflammation in … Read More

4. Treating COPD

Nov 12, 2018 · · COPD
Even though COPD cannot be cured, it can be treated. Treatment is aimed at reducing symptoms, preventing the disease from getting worse, improving the ability to exercise, preventing and treating complications, and preventing and treating exacerbations. For those with COPD who are current smokers, the most important first step is … Read More

3. Diagnosing COPD

Nov 12, 2018 · · COPD
COPD and asthma share many of the same symptoms (primarily coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath), which occur because normal airflow into and out of the lungs is obstructed. This can make it difficult to distinguish between the two conditions. However, it is important to make an accurate diagnosis because … Read More

2. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Nov 12, 2018 · · COPD
Until recently, the term “chronic obstructive pulmonary disease” (COPD) was used to describe two conditions—emphysema and chronic bronchitis—that make it difficult to breathe in and out. In 2017, the Global Initiative on Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) updated its census report on the diagnosis, prevention, and management of COPD to reflect … Read More

1. A Detailed Look Inside

Nov 12, 2018 · · COPD
The lungs consist of two large, spongy organs divided into sections called lobes. The right lung has three lobes, and the left lung has two. Inside the lungs is a branching system of progressively smaller tubes called bronchial tubes, which end in air sacs. Oxygen and carbon dioxide travel through … Read More

From The Editor

Nov 8, 2018 · · COPD
This report covers obstructive lung diseases and lung infections. Obstructive lung diseases include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, and bronchiectasis. Because these diseases produce similar symptoms, making a correct diagnosis can be challenging. In addition, these conditions often overlap—for example, a person with asthma can acquire chronic bronchitis and/or … Read More

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