PHAC Data Blog: COPD

COPD is a progressive illness that causes shortness of breath and cough. The condition is caused by canadian pacific chronic lymphocytic leukemia lung irritation, most often caused by smoking tobacco. PHAC’s Data Blog is a great resource for finding information and canadian pacific throat cancer current information on a variety of public health issues. This month, we will be focusing on COPD.

Prevalence

COPD is a chronic, debilitating disease that can be caused through exposure to lung irritants such as tobacco smoke. Its symptoms include shortness of breath, Canadian pacific pancreatic cancer coughing, and sputum production. The condition typically affects older adults. Although the condition is not curable, treatment options are available to slow its progression and improve the symptoms and quality of life.

COPD is most prevalent among people over 65, and canadian pacific pancreatic cancer its prevalence increases as you get older. COPD is the primary cause of morbidity and mortality in Canada. It also has a significant effect on mortality, morbidity and utilization of health care. COPD is a major burden in BC and is increasing with the aging of the population.

Current data sources tend to underestimate COPD prevalence. This is probably due the different methods used in surveys and the different characteristics of the population. But, despite the differences in prevalence estimates, it is evident that the disease is highly common.

In addition to assessing symptoms, canadian pacific chronic lymphocytic leukemia a lung function test (Spirometry) can be utilized to detect and monitor COPD in primary care settings. Increased utilization of spirometry in the general population may help to diagnose and manage the disease, and may eventually reduce health care costs that are associated with this common ailment.

Symptoms

COPD is an ongoing lung disease that can cause symptoms such as shortness of breath coughing, sputum, and coughing. It is usually due to long-term exposure to irritating gases or particulate matter, most commonly cigarette smoke. It can be difficult to determine and often misdiagnosed as asthma or other illnesses that exhibit similar symptoms. It is also a complex disease and there are four phenotypes or clinical forms that include: non-acute with emphysema, chronic bronchitis. COPD-asthma is chronic with emphysema or acute COPD-mixed. The latter includes both bronchitis as well as emphysema.

Gershon and coworkers conducted a study that revealed an overwhelming majority of those suffering from COPD were underdiagnosed (10). Researchers discovered that people who were not diagnosed had higher rates of emergency department and hospital visits than those without COPD. They were also more likely to smoke. The underdiagnosis is attributed to the ineffective use of spirometry and the misdiagnosis nonspecific respiratory symptoms like dyspnea. Patients with suspected COPD might benefit from post-bronchodilator lung function testing and anticholinergic medications. This will improve the care provided to patients and reduce costs for healthcare systems.

Diagnosis

The early detection of COPD can decrease the frequency of exacerbations and slow the progression of symptoms. COPD symptoms can be recognized by a history and physical examination, as well as the simple breathing test known as spirometry. In high-income countries spirometry is routinely used in the evaluation of chronic respiratory diseases but in low- and middle-income countries, it is typically not available. It is important to follow-up in order to determine the compliance, inhaler technique and the efficacy of the treatment program.