Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease medical therapy
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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Microchapters |
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Differentiating Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease from other Diseases |
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Diagnosis |
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Treatment |
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Case Studies |
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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease medical therapy On the Web |
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American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease medical therapy |
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FDA on Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease medical therapy |
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CDC on Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease medical therapy |
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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease medical therapy in the news |
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Blogs on Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease medical therapy |
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Directions to Hospitals Treating Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease |
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Risk calculators and risk factors for Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease medical therapy |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Philip Marcus, M.D., M.P.H. [2]; Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [3]
Overview
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), also known as chronic obstructive airway disease (COAD), is a group of diseases characterized by the pathological limitation of airflow in the airway that is not fully reversible. COPD is the umbrella term for chronic bronchitis, emphysema and a range of other lung disorders. It is most often due to tobacco smoking,[1] but can be due to other airborne irritants such as coal dust, asbestos or solvents, congenital conditions such as alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency and as well as preserved meats containing nitrites.
Medical therapy
Treatment of COPD requires a careful and thorough evaluation by a physician. The most important aspect of treatment is avoiding tobacco smoke and removing other air pollutants from the patient’s home or workplace. Symptoms such as coughing or wheezing can be treated with medication. Respiratory infections should be treated with antibiotics, if appropriate. Patients who have low blood oxygen levels in their blood are often given supplemental oxygen.
External link
http://www.cdc.gov/copd/index.htm