| Popis: |
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common inflammatory disease of the airways, characterized by persistent respiratory symptoms and airflow limitations, and is significantly increasing in prevalence worldwide. It is the fourth leading cause of death in the developed world. COPD is likely to become the number two cause of death by the third decade of the twenty-first century if this increase in prevalence continues. The number of patients with COPD in fact may be greater than statistics indicate, since typically, the disease is not diagnosed until the patient presents with a first exacerbation. The pathological indicators of COPD are bronchitis (inflammation of the small airways) and emphysema (destruction of lung parenchyma). The most important clinical and functional consequences of these abnormalities are exacerbations and airflow limitations. There is a complex interaction between airway abnormalities and emphysema that leads to the development of airflow limitation, causing airway narrowing and debilitating bouts of shortness of breath, wheezing, chest tightness, and cough. |
