Introduction Unlike many acute diseases, COPD does not start suddenly but develops slowly over a longer period of time. The cause of the disease is permanent damage to the lungs and the resulting narrowing of the airways (bronchi). The first early symptom is usually a persistent cough. However, this is often misinterpreted or ignored as … Course of a COPD
What does the final stage look like? In addition to the typical symptoms of COPD – chronic coughing and increased purulent sputum and difficulty breathing – the final stage of COPD leads to chronic respiratory insufficiency. Due to the constant over-inflation of the lungs and increasing disruption of the gas exchange, the patient is no … What does the final stage look like? | Course of a COPD
How fast do I go through the different stages of COPD? How fast a COPD progresses depends on many different factors and is individually different. Since COPD is predominantly smokers and cigarette smoking is considered the main trigger, the most decisive factor in the course and progression of the disease is that the patient stops … How fast do I go through the different stages of COPD? | Course of a COPD
Can the process be stopped? Particularly among patients who do not give up nicotine consumption, the course of the disease leads to steadily increasing and irreversible damage and functional impairment of the lungs. These damages lead to a severely limited life expectancy of the patient. Since there are no causal treatment approaches, the aim is … Can the process be stopped? | Course of a COPD
Definition The term grasping thorax describes an altered form of the bony thorax (thorax), in which the chest appears too short and wide. Thus the thorax resembles a barrel, which explains the term barrel thorax. Anatomy of the grasping thorax In a barrel thorax, the thorax is shortened and wider compared to the normal thorax … Barrel thorax
Pulmonary emphysema In pulmonary emphysema, the lungs are over-inflated because the inhaled air is trapped at the end of the airways in the form of emphysema bubbles and cannot be exhaled again. In most cases, the cause is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which affects smokers in 90% of cases. Chronic inflammation leads to narrowing … Pulmonary emphysema | Barrel thorax
Therapy Also with regard to therapy, it should be remembered that a grasping thorax is not a disease in itself but merely a symptom. If emphysema is the cause, the changes in the lungs are irreversible, i.e. irreversible. However, the progression of the disease can be slowed down by giving up smoking and bronchodilator medication. … Therapy | Barrel thorax
Possibilities of therapy The therapy of COPD consists of the following measures and must be adapted individually. – Avoid triggering noxae Drugs Oxygen therapy and breathing apparatus Night-time breathing apparatuses Respiratory gymnastics Infection prophylaxis Avoiding noxious substances Very important in therapy is to find the triggering factors of COPD and to eliminate them if possible. … Therapy of a COPD
Oxygen and breathing apparatus In some cases oxygen therapy may be indicated. In this case, the affected persons are supplied with oxygen via a nasal probe, which can also be carried out at home. Breathing masks worn at night are intended to promote relaxation during sleep. A device ensures regular, sufficient breathing with an adequate … Oxygen and breathing apparatus | Therapy of a COPD
Infection prophylaxis Since COPD patients are susceptible to infections, especially of the respiratory tract, vaccinations against e.g. influenza or bacteria (e.g. pneumococcus) may be indicated as prophylaxis. Due to the chronic inflammation in the area of the respiratory tract, COPD patients have an increased risk of lung infections. One of the reasons for this is … Infection prophylaxis | Therapy of a COPD
Can morphine relieve the symptoms? Morphine belongs to the group of opiates. Nowadays the drug is called morphine. It is not an everyday drug in the treatment concept of COPD. Nowadays, however, it is used as the drug’s ultima ratio, sometimes during inpatient hospital stays, when the acute shortness of breath cannot be controlled in … Can morphine relieve the symptoms? | End-stage COPD
What is life expectancy in the terminal stage? Life expectancy for end-stage COPD depends on other factors such as the presence of other diseases and the presence of risk factors (for example, continued nicotine consumption). The success of the therapy also plays a decisive role. The occurrence of exacerbations also plays a decisive role in … What is life expectancy in the terminal stage? | End-stage COPD
