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 that the chronic inflammation leads to the destruction of the cilia within the airways, which are part of the immune system and are supposed to fend off and remove pathogens. For this reason, the Standing Vaccination Commission (STIKO) recommends that two vaccinations be carried out regularly. In addition to the annual flu vaccination (against influenza viruses), the patient should also be vaccinated once against pneumococcus (the cause of pneumonia). Depending on the severity of COPD, further vaccinations may be necessary.
What’s the point of a cure?
Both outpatient and inpatient rehabilitation measures can be carried out as part of a cure to alleviate the symptoms of COPD. The quality of life and mobility of a patient can be improved. In addition to regular physiotherapy (physical activity, respiratory physiotherapy), targeted respiratory training and regular brine inhalations (saline solutions) as well as drainage positioning can be carried out. All in all, the patient’s resilience can be increased again and the restrictions in daily life caused by COPD can be minimized.
Complications
A COPD is progressing. This progression depends very much on the cooperation of the person affected. In the course of the disease, it can lead to the development of emphysema, i.e. over-inflation of the lungs.
The heart is also exposed to increased stress. This leads to increased blood pressure (hypertension) in the blood vessels that supply the lungs (pulmonary hypertension) and finally to right heart failure (right heart failure). Right heart weakness leads to increased stress on the left heart and ultimately to global weakness of the heart (global heart failure).
Complications include smoking. Smoking represents an increased risk of a malignant tumour. Furthermore, smoking damages the blood vessels. Stroke, heart attack or kidney weakness (renal insufficiency) are only some of the consequences.
Forecast
If the value of the one-second capacity is only 25% (i.e. if only a quarter of the volume can be exhaled within one second, which is a healthy exhalation), the prognosis is unfavourable because there is usually a cardiac insufficiency (right heart failure). Only 35% of those affected are still alive after 5 years.
