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CARE OF SPECIFIC CONDITIONS OF THE ELDERLY: CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY…
CARE OF SPECIFIC CONDITIONS OF THE ELDERLY:
CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASES
Definition
:Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (chronic obstructive lung disease, chronic obstructive airway disease) is a combination of two common lung disease – chronic bronchitis and emphysema. It is a permanent respiratory disease associated with long term exposure to cigarette smoking, gases and airborne dusts.
Risk factors
• History of long term smoking.
• Occupational exposure to silica, asbestos, chemical fumes and dust.
• Age although disease starts early but symptoms appear usually after 40 years.
• Genetic abnormalities.
Causes
There are some factors which trigger the symptoms of COPD :
• Tobacco smoking.
• Air pollutants like sulfur dioxide.
• Occupational hazards like silica and asbestos.
• Genetic susceptibility is common in family members, deficiency of certain enzymes like alpha1 antitrypsin and protease enzymes.
Clinical manifestations
• Respiratory distress (shortness of breath). In advanced cases, breathing trouble may occur even at rest.
• Shortness of breathing is characterized by active participation of neck muscles, breathing through parted (pursed) lips.
• Usually expiration (breathing out) takes longer time in comparison to inspiration (breathing in).
• Chronic persistent cough usually with sputum.
• Chest tightness.
• Wheezing (whistling sound produced during breathing).
• Long term disease lead to change in shape of chest (barrel chest).
Nursing, pharmacological and surgical management
Nursing, pharmacological and surgical management
Cessation of smoking, avoidance of irritant smokes, dust and noxious chemical fumes.
Drugs:
– Bronchodialators (inhalation) are prescribed to counteract narrowing of the airways. Both short acting (salbutamol) and long acting (salmeterol) bronchodilators are used.
– Inhalational steroids (beclomethasone, budesonide) are prescribed often in combination with long acting bronchodilators.
– Oral antibiotics: prescribed during acute attack of respiratory infection
Oxygen therapy.
Breathing exercises.
Surgery :
–Lung,volumereduction,surgery.
– Lung transplantation