chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Introduction Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is the most common respiratory disease in Germany. People with COPD suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This term describes a group of lung diseases that are all associated with an increasing narrowing of the small airways. COPD is favoured by inhaled noxious agents, such as cigarette smoking. Symptoms … COPD

Classification of COPD in stadiums COPD is divided into different stages, depending on the severity of the disease. One possible classification divides the disease into four different stages based on values obtained from the lung function test. Stage 1 is the mildest severity, stage 4 is the most severe form of the disease. Alternatively, the … Classification of COPD in stadiums | COPD

Secondary diseases of a COPD The pulmonary emphysema describes a progressive conversion and degradation of the lung tissue with a decrease in the gas-exchange surface. The reason for this is the narrowing (= obstruction) of the airways. This leads to more difficult exhalation with only slightly impaired inhalation. This leads to over-inflation of the lungs … Secondary diseases of a COPD | COPD

Prognosis and complications of COPD The narrowing (obstruction) of the airways is usually progressive and leads to increasing physical limitations. The remodelling of the lung tissue puts a strain on the heart, as it must now pump against the altered lung tissue. The lung tissue reacts by increasing the size of the muscle tissue which … Prognosis and complications of COPD | COPD

Level of care for COPD A level of long-term care can be applied for if a person is no longer able to meet his or her basic needs (personal hygiene, nutrition, mobility) independently due to illness. Depending on the severity of the illness, the person concerned is assigned to a care level. Care level I … Level of care for COPD | COPD

Causes of COPD The term COPD is mainly used to describe chronic inflammation of the airways (chronic bronchitis) and the restructuring of the lung architecture (pulmonary emphysema). Many factors contribute to its development. The most frequent cause of chronic inflammation and narrowing of the airways is a long-lasting inflammation and increased production of mucus in … Causes of COPD | COPD

Frequency of COPD Chronic bronchitis is the most common chronic lung disease. Approximately 20% of all men suffer from it. Women are significantly less affected. For every woman who is ill, there are 3 – 4 ill men. It is estimated that about 44 million people are affected worldwide. In Germany about 15% of the … Frequency of COPD | COPD