COPD

1. Pathophysiology: lung damage due exposure to an irritant or toxin, causes chronic bronchoconstriction, air trapping, and loss of elastic recoil. May be inherited or genetic due to mutated alpha trypsin gene in nonsmokers

2. Epidemiology: Affects 24 million individuals, women have a higher mortality rate, Blacks have a higher risk due to primarily smoking menthol cigarettes

3. Treatment: bronchodilators, anti-muscarinics, inhaled steroids, IV or po steroids, supplemental oxygen, avoidance of irritants, education on disease process

4. Diagnosis: decreased FEV₁ on spirometry, presents with associated signs and symptoms

5. Risk Factors: cigarette, pipe, and tobacco smoking, pollution, environmental toxins and chemicals, dust, low birthweight, recurrent respiratory tract infections, family history of emphysema 2

6. Clinical Presentation: accessory muscle use, tachypnea, dyspnea, tachycardia, anxious, hypoxic, increased work of breathing, wheezing, increased coughing with or without sputum production, decreased energy with exertion