COPD diagnosis and treatment
How is COPD diagnosed? How is COPD treated? Medication, exercise, oxygen and ventilation can help disease management.
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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive long‐term lung disease that involves inflammation and thickening of the airways.¹ Over time the disease makes it more difficult to breathe because the airways are obstructed, restricting the flow of air in and out of the lungs.¹
When this happens less oxygen reaches the blood, and it becomes harder to get rid of the waste gas carbon dioxide.¹
COPD is made up of two chronic conditions: chronic bronchitis which is a persistent cough with mucus, and emphysema which is characterised by the destruction of lung tissue.¹
Symptoms include cough and shortness of breath. COPD is often a mix of bronchitis and emphysema. The risk of COPD is highest in smokers.
How is COPD diagnosed? How is COPD treated? Medication, exercise, oxygen and ventilation can help disease management.
ResMed’s portable ventilators and comfortable masks have been widely used by COPD patients to help them manage their condition.
How does non-invasive ventilation help treat COPD? By enhancing the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide, it can reduce the likelihood of hospitalisation and improve quality of life at home.
Global Strategy for the Diagnosis, Management and Prevention of COPD, Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) 2014. http://www.goldcopd.org/
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