Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ( Copd ) - 1730 Words

Over the years Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) has been a vastly under-identified and under-treated, causing the World Health Organization (WHO) to undertake increased worldwide awareness concerning the disease. Thus the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) was created in order to educate the world and set standardized practices.1,2 COPD is defined by the chronic obstruction of the airway relating to inflammatory diseases of the bronchial tubes. The restrictive airflow, while preventable and treatable, is often fast progressing and not completely reversible1. COPD includes diseases such as chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and small airway disease as all these conditions include a chronic narrowing of†¦show more content†¦While some children develop lung issues at a young age, the majority have consistent lung function up until their mid-20s when decline is seen. This decline can be due to age, environment, or the development of diseas e. With the discrepancy in numbers between diagnosed cases and people suffering from decreased lung function, it is notable that awareness and aggressive diagnosis of COPD needs to increase.2 Etiology Preexisting compromised lung function from uncontrolled bronchitis, asthma, and emphysema can develop overtime. Environmental conditions can exacerbate the disease and hasten the progression toward COPD. One of the primary causes and leading exacerbations is viral infections. In the subzero climates of cold and flu season when rhinovirus and various forms of upper respiratory infections run rampant through many cities, patients with chronic lung issues have an increased risk for contracting infections. Viruses attach to the lower lobe of the lung via the intracellular adhesion molecule, ICAM-1, and intensify the underlying inflammation. The ICAM-1 molecule can be a target for treatment when symptoms are caused by the rhinovirus. When COPD is aggravated because of rhinovirus, plasma fibrinogen levels and molecules known to stimulate the production of plasma fibrinogen elevate and can increase the onset of myocardial infarction and stroke. These levels not only worsen COPD for patients, but put them at increased risk for cardiovascular